Unseen Hands: The Sacred Work of Preparation

While the outdoor loading station buzzes with energy and smiles, there is a quiet, sacred space inside Gateway to Hope where a different kind of magic happens. This is Sheila’s domain.

Out of sight from the busy scene, Sheila is the steady heartbeat of preparation. With focused care, she assembles the distribution bags that will soon be carried into the community. Her hands move with intention, placing each can, each box, each bag with precision. There are no crowds to cheer her on, no immediate smiles of gratitude from recipients—just the quiet faithfulness of getting things ready.

In this, Sheila embodies a profound spiritual truth: much of God’s most important work is done in the unseen places.

Before Jesus fed the five thousand, the disciples had to organize the crowd and distribute the loaves and fishes. It was logistical, practical, and far from glamorous. It was preparation. Sheila is doing that holy, preparatory work. She is ensuring that when the moment comes to offer hope, everything is in its place, ready to be a tangible expression of God’s love.

Her service is a powerful reminder that the Kingdom of God is built not only on the public moments of distribution but on the private, faithful acts of preparation. She is the answer to the prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread,” long before that bread is ever requested.

Prayer: Lord, you see the work done in secret, and you reward it. We thank you for Sheila and for all who serve with quiet and faithful hands. Bless the work of preparation. May every bag filled, every box stacked, be done as an act of worship to you, the great Provider. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.