Here's the Other Thing

I think that maybe you guys have caught wind of the fact that I am totally obsessed with my friend Rebecca's business, Better Life Bags. I think that you know that I will be doing some Christmas shopping here. I am also pretty sure that you grasp one of the reasons why: Rebecca's heart for the poor and her willingness to give of her own to benefit those less fortunate. (No glory to her; she strives to be like Jesus). [Read about BLB's mission.]

But there is another reason. A reason which really just tips the scale in total favor (and allegiance and support) of Better Life Bags. That reason can be summed up in these verses:

Deuteronomy 10:18: He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.

Leviticus 19:33-34: "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God."

Deuteronomy 24:19-21: "When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back and get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, so not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow."

[All emphasis, mine]

Yes, I know that the word alien is not politically correct these days, but you get it. The text is referring to people who are out of their homeland. They're away from their mamas/daddies/sisters/brothers/old family friends. You know, all the people who help us out when we're in a bind. They're away from their heart language. You know, the language we've understood since we were John's age. Many of them are removed from the country where they obtained their higher education, and their graduate degrees may be deemed obsolete, no good. Many of them are lonely, friendless, separated from everyone whose culture and value system is in any way similar to their own.

For all of the aforementioned reasons (and many more), it is imperative that the people of God help the foreigner in and around our lives.

This is why I love the mission of Better Life Bags. You see, Rebecca and I live in a very diverse/multicultural/hopping with immigrants neighborhood. Rebecca's first employee is not living in her home country. She is far, far away actually. She is from a place where it is highly uncommon for women to have a job outside of the home. [Thus, BLB is giving her the opportunity to work from home. Score!] English is not her first language. She is an alien.

Rebecca is living obediently, in line with the Scriptures mentioned above by giving this woman a job. Wanna help her? Visit her shop and snag the new Molly bag (pictured). This is one bag made by Beck's newest employee. What's more, Rebecca's looking to hire more women from our community. Women who are out of their element. Women who are in need of a friend. Women who she will teach the marketable skill of sewing so that they can support their families. Women who ultimately need to know and understand the grace of the Lord Jesus. Will you support her in this endeavor {and get a cute bag to boot}?

Supporting BLB is not the only way to obey these verses penned by God Himself commanding us to treat the foreigner among us with dignity and love. No, supporting BLB is the least you can do, really. My challenge for you (and me) is to get into these people's lives. TONS of immigrants have never set foot in an American home. They have never experienced a Southern fried chicken meal (to all my GA bros and sisters out there). They have never taken part in a Thanksgiving feast. They don't know what it's like to whack a pinata at a baby boy's first birthday party. Heck, some of them don't even know the language and are struggling to find someone with whom they can have a conversation in English.

Here's the point, God desires that His children love the foreigners living among them. Get creative. Seek these folks out. You might just learn a few things from them (and have your socks blessed off by the Living God). Rebecca can vouch for me there.

...so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (Deuteronomy 24:19)

Love you guys! [And I'd love it if you'd post in the comments section how you are loving the foreigner in your life ... whether it's buying a bag or serving them dinner. GO!]