Join the Celebrate Jesus Florida Space Coast Mission
July 21-28, 2012
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The Yellow Shirt BY ELLIE WEAVER



I am a yellow shirt.  A simple t-shirt bathed in sunshine yellow and stamped front and back with logos supporting a cause or sharing a message.  I am just like millions of other shirts created for projects or events.  We have a short life expectancy…a few hours of use and then doomed to live out our days at the bottom of the dresser drawer or worse…sent to the rag pile, only to be seen again when it is time to wash the car or bathe the dog.  I know my purpose.

Freshly laundered and quite sure my owner thought I might shrink just a bit; I am off to spend a few hours as a Celebrate Jesus volunteer.   Better enjoy this…my one moment of shining glory when I will be part of a group, the important uniform of the day!  I arrive at the visitation center a bit nervous, not sure what to expect and fairly sure my owner feels like I am not the right color for her skin type.  I feel a bit better as I see my clones…40 or 50 other yellow shirts are buzzing around preparing for visitation. 

After gathering for training we are off in the heat, knocking on doors being looked at through peepholes.  I stand tall and proud and show off my logos…hello in there…we are not a threat…we are here to pray for you!  What’s that I see…a door is opening?  Hey – they are complimenting ME!  They like my color and they are talking to my group, sharing and praying together.  Sure, I’m just a t-shirt, but I am pretty proud of myself.

After two hours we return to the church, cool off, and share stories.  I am exhausted, soaked in sweat, but energized by all I experienced.  I may have a short life span, but I was part of something huge!  Wait a minute…what am I hearing?  Yellow shirt stories?  How proud people are to be wearing us, how we are being recognized in the community as a sign of something good.  Church members are finding each other in grocery stores and restaurants.  People in the community are beginning to talk about us…could it be that I am more than a simple t-shirt?  Perhaps I have become a symbol of something important?  Oh dare to dream!   What’s that I am hearing from my owner…she plans to wash me tonight because we are coming back tomorrow? 

I am a yellow shirt.  A simple t-shirt bathed in sunshine yellow but also blessed by God.  I proudly carry the logos of First United Methodist Church and Celebrate Jesus.  I am NOT like millions of other shirts created for projects or events, for I have experienced what it feels like to witness and share the love of God with my community.  I feel confident that I will not see the back of a closet or the bottom of the dresser drawer…no…I am far too valuable and I will be seen again.  I will be worn with pride as I continue to participate in ministry to others.  For work days, for missions, for prayer and celebration,

I am a yellow shirt – part of something important.  I know my purpose!