They came from different
states. They spanned a wide range of ages. Their backgrounds were
varied. But all who gathered for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's
2014 national assembly in Atlanta shared one common mission: to learn
how to better serve those who most need their help. More than 750
Vincentians -- the largest turnout in more than 13 years -- attended the
annual assembly coming from as far away as Puerto Rico. The Sept. 24-27
conference featured workshops, committee meetings and national and
local keynote speakers. Bill Bolling, executive director of the Atlanta
Community Food Bank, gave the keynote speech during lunch Sept. 27.
Since Bolling founded the food bank in 1979, the organization has grown
to distribute more than 35 million pounds of food and grocery products
each year through a network of 600 local and regional partner nonprofit
organizations that feed the hungry across the state. Bolling spoke of
the importance of the table, pointing out that even in the Bible, many
of the stories of Jesus take place around a table. Feeding those in need
is about more than just food, he said. "The table was the place to be
with people. For me, more important than doing for people was to be with
people," he said. "The idea of starting a food bank was to have more of
those tables -- more of those places where we would meet to be with
each other. To listen -- to really find out more deeply what those
issues were."
In the quiet, dusty corners of our hearts, we often harbor blueprint drafts of how we think our lives should unfold. We carefully map out our timelines, hoping for a smooth path, and it is only natural to feel a bit lost or weary when a sudden storm alters our course or a door we prayed would open remains closed. Yet, our Lord does not stand at a distance during these moments of uncertainty; He is a tender Shepherd who walks beside us, gently whispering, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" ( Jeremiah 29:11). When our own plans crumble, it is not a sign that He has abandoned us, but rather an invitation to fold our hands, release our grip on the pen, and offer our own quiet fiat—letting Him guide us into green pastures we could never have found on our own. Placing our trust in His loving providence allows us to breathe deeply and find rest, even when the road ahead is shrouded in mist. E...