I just helped a little family of three find a place to stay for a month until a more permament rental comes available.

They are young, not yet 35 years old, and they come from a place that used to be safe, happy and free, and now they have come to make a new life, a fresh start here in the town I live in. Their small daughter danced around with glee in their new place and I could see the tired overtake their eyes as they finally found a place to find peace.

The idea that salvation and redemption are spiritual concepts reserved for the next life to come are far too limiting. For those of you who know me well, you know that I am a person of faith, and I do believe that salvation and redemption are given to us from God as gifts, if we ask. And sometimes, even when we don't.

Jesus walked through life on this planet, and showed people that they could be freed, healed, saved from themselves and their situations and it was all then and there. He spoke a new Kingdom, that didn't look like one with soldiers and politicians and kings and queens and rulers and religious leaders. How it would be like a bit of yeast in the dough, invisible to the eye but expanding. A small seed that over time and with care, becomes an enormous tree.

I get to be part of that. Every day. And its harder and easier than we think it is. It's telling someone, I see you, and you don't have to live that way.

It's walking with someone into the hospital room, or just calling them on the phone and believing that God can heal.

It's finding a place for someone to find peace and love after years of torment.

It's a meal, oh, more than often it's a meal or a coffee or a drink or a tea. And the conversation before, during and after until we know we have to stop.

And it's standing up and shining light on evil. And not letting the darkness get so dark. Because the love is for here, now, and to come.