Luke 15:8–10
‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’
Bent over her broom, her eyes searching every dark corner, every crevice in the floor … searching … searching … I can imagine Isabella Graham searching for pennies for the Penny Society she founded. By asking every poor person in her neighborhood to save a penny a week, she was able to care for the contributors when they experienced hard times. Later, it would become known as the Society for the Relief of the Destitute Sick. Graham’s tenacity to follow God’s lead continued to shape her life and the lives of the destitute in her homeland, Scotland, and the U.S.
The Presbyterian Historical Society notes that “Isabella Graham (1742–1814) was an educator and philanthropist who worked tirelessly to assist women and orphans on both sides of the Atlantic. Graham grew up in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and was confirmed in the Presbyterian Church by John Witherspoon.” Following her military doctor husband, she also lived in Canada and Antigua.
Her gift was her passion to creatively help those in need in ways that were sustainable. In 1797, following the Revolutionary War, Witherspoon sought Graham out to create a program in the United States. “She again crossed the ocean to become the first director of New York’s Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small Children, a group that helped families ravaged by yellow fever, showing the way for future women-led charities.” (Presbyterian Historical Society)
Prayer:
Gracious and loving God, in Isabella Graham, you planted seeds of imaginative and sustainable compassion for those suffering the injustices of poverty. Open our hearts and eyes to opportunities to creatively respond to the needs of those around us in our neighborhoods, communities and the world. Amen.
The Rev. Dr. Carol DiGiusto is honorably retired and living in Jacksonville, Florida, following pastoral calls to several churches in the Presbytery of St. Augustine.
No comments:
Post a Comment