A good reminder

Classes begin here at USF this coming Monday so things are starting to get busy on campus again. Students are returning from summer and yesterday was the first day students were able to move into their on-campus residences. For the past 3 years, a group of us from the campus ministry have volunteered 2 or 3 days during move-ins to pass out water and help anyone who wants it with their move. It's a relatively small thing, but I really enjoy it. At the same time, it's kind of funny (maybe even sad). These last two days - and it's been the same in past years - so many people we've helped are completely caught off guard and can't understand why anyone would volunteer to do something like that. It's hot. It's humid. Why in the world would we offer to help a total stranger move their stuff? The water, they can understand that, but a lot people usually assume we're selling it. I've had about 4 or 5 people these last couple days offer money for helping them move even after I've explained that we're just volunteering the help. The best comment was one mom who said, "Well, why in the world would you do that?" That's why I enjoy it so much. We're not out there promoting our campus ministry (no signs, banners or anything like that), but we are trying to speak Christ to them in what we're doing. It's faith in action. And everyone we help always asks who we are and why we're out there. Those conversations are a great reminder of just how powerful a little love and service are in a relatively selfish world.