You Matter

/ Jeff Cann

On the sign in front of the Adams Rescue Mission:

Hey You
Yes You
You Matter

Eph 2:10

Color me skeptical. I never saw language like this in my Bible. Maybe this translation came from the American Dude Bible 21st Century Edition. Possible, but less likely, it came out of Trump’s new God Bless the USA Bible, but as far as I can tell, Donald Trump believes he’s the only person who matters. The Mission, as everyone around town calls it, is a Gettysburg institution.

It’s a cool operation. They run a thrift shop on the main floor, a major recycling operation in a warehouse out back, a men’s shelter on the second floor, and in their basement, they house a used furniture store. In downtown Gettysburg, they run a separate shelter just for women and their children.

Located just beyond the Gettysburg area shopping district, we pass the Mission on our way to Hanover, Pennsylvania, a half hour away. Hanover is where we need to drive when we want to shop anywhere besides Walmart. Stores like Lowes, Target, Staples and TJ Maxx are safely located in the next town over. If we want to go waste money, we need to put some effort into it. But when we do, far too often, we wind up popping into the Mission on the way to look at furniture.

Last weekend’s errands: A new mailbox—ours has become decidedly not watertight over the past few months; and some new paver stones for our front walk—we’re hoping to make it less of a rustic garden path and more of a sidewalk so our aging parents can more easily navigate it. But first we stopped by the Mission.

Outside the mission: “I’ll catch up with you in a minute. I want to snap a picture of the sign.” I know a writing prompt when I see one. Thirty seconds later I found Susan in the basement deep in conversation with a guy about the used dresser he hoped to buy. “We want it to store our food. In the hotel room where we live, there’s nowhere to keep our food containers.” Their conversation left me wondering if a financially comfortable family like mine should be the ones taking advantage of the amazing furniture deals at the Mission.

We came looking for a new couch. And we completely struck out. We saw three that we loved and would have bought any of them instantly, but all were already marked sold. I guess we need to show up sometime before mid-day on Saturday if we want anything good.

I feel a kinship for the Mission. Not long after I moved to town, the Mission’s then director Bruce invited my nonprofit company’s management team to tour his recycling center. Walking into the warehouse I was stunned by the size and scope of the operation. More impressive to me than the massive bales of aluminum and cardboard set to be shipped out for profitable recycling (this was 2008), were the massive bales of clothing to be sent—at the Mission’s expense—overseas to help clothe developing nations. Bruce spoke about stewardship for the earth, and how he saw recycling as an integral piece of his Christian mission.

Several years later, I read in the local paper that Bruce’s son was killed in a bicycle accident at an intersection I’d previously ridden through. In 1995, I narrowly survived a similar, life altering accident. I was hit by a van. I lingered in a haze for three days before the hospital staff was willing to say I would live. I feel those of us who share the bond of serious cycling accidents, as the rider or a rider’s loved one, might understand each other in ways others don’t.

As a former Christian, I’m usually not found propping up overtly Christian organizations in this way. I’m usually complaining about the propensity in my town for everyone to assume everyone else is Christian. “Hey, Jeff. I hope you have a happy Easter weekend.” How many times did I hear that last week? My trip to the Mission last weekend reminded me that service to others and service to the earth are the foundation of civil society.

A more traditional translation of Ephesians 2:10 goes like this: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. I very much appreciate the inclusiveness of the Mission’s version: You Matter.

Yes, you. We all do.

25 thoughts on “You Matter”

  2. I didn’t attend church on Easter Sunday. I just wanted to cook and spend time with my family sooo yeah. It left a few members of the family questioning why I didn’t go. But they didn’t push. And I’m thankful they didn’t. (I attended online lol) But yeah, this year and this season just feels different. I don’t know how to explain it.

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    • Thanks Neil. In my mind, the Mission’s mission transcends religion, although they are usually more heavy handed about their Christianity. I was really pleased to see their sign last Saturday. I want to call them up and thank them, but I’m not up for the inevitable proselytizing that will follow.

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  6. Love this post, Jeff! And you have me laughing out loud with this line: “Maybe this translation came from the American Dude Bible 21st Century Edition” and then later stopping to think, “wait. that book probably actually exists.”

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    • Thanks Stacey. You’re right, it probably does exist. See the comment exchange between Fran Mason and me. Back in the mid seventies, there was an attempt to make the bible more accessible to teens and young adults. It was wildly popular, at least at my church.

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  10. RE sign: perhaps instead of a translation of the verse, it was a call to action? kind of a “get to work” proclamation based on the verse? but yes, you matter! ❤

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    • Yes, you might be right about that. I’d prefer the inclusive translation instead. When I was young(er) and (more) immature, I had a bumper sticker on my truck that said ‘Jesus is coming. Look busy.’ Same thing? Sort of?

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  12. I know I’m really late commenting on your post, Jeff; I’ve had a lot going on in my life, but I’ve had it on an open tab on my laptop since you wrote it, intending to return to it. I love how you wrote a post triggered by that sign, which I love, “Hey you. You matter”. I agree, we all matter. Everyone; whatever their beliefs or religion. Just everyone. What a great sign, whether it comes from the bible or elsewhere. I love the humour in your first paragraph. It made me smile, which was very welcome this week. The Mission sounds amazing. What a wonderful place to help so many people with less than us. We have a similar secondhand furniture store run by the British Heart Foundation in town. They have just about every piece of furniture you can imagine in there, and it is a great place to go, not only for a bargain but also to support a worthy cause. My Mum died from a stroke in 2016, which was a blood clot caused by heart disease, so I have a soft spot for this charity. Thanks for sharing your views and experience. Take care. I hope you and your family are all well. X

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    • Funny/ironic story. Just this past week, I learned that they plan to seriously cut back their recycling efforts. I think it’s getting too hard to find a market for recycled goods anymore. Also, last weekend, I learned that they opened a new shop where they sell the nicer artsier things people donate. Susan and I poked around and found lots of beautiful pottery and glassware for crazy cheap. We bought her brother a really nice glass set for his birthday. So, maybe changing some, but still cool.

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