In light of a blog I wrote a few days ago, about loving people and loving them well, I have begun asking God how exactly I should go about this. I believe He gave me some answers and I wanted to share them with you.
Yesterday, I had lunch with some friends, and I couldn’t eat it all…so I got the remainder of my food to go. I had an errand to run, and ended up in the Upper Kirby district (love that area, btw). I came to a stop light, and there was a guy walking in the street, weaving in and out of cars, coming right over to the windows. He held a sign. It had one word on it. Hungry.
As I began rolling down my window and reaching into the back seat for the to-go container, I wish I could have photographed his face…the look of excitement mixed with gratitude was more than my heart could handle at the moment, and it almost brought me to tears. He took the food, and sat right down on the side of the street and began eating. I thanked God and prayed the man would soon have spiritual food placed before him and that he would consume it in the same manner…wish I could have witnessed to him more, but the light turned green, and I had to leave…
Opportunity number two happened this afternoon. I just bought a new Jeep, and it rained yesterday. I took it over to the car wash to spray it off and a guy came over and asked if he could wash it for me. I smiled and told him that I was sorry but I really wanted to wash it. He then asked if I could give him money so he could eat. I told him that no, I usually don’t give people money, but that I would gladly go get him some food…I asked him what he wanted to eat and he told me Popeyes. I already liked this guy because he knew exactly what he wanted and was bold enough to tell me. So, after I rinsed off the Jeep, I got his dinner. Now, as I was driving, it occurred to me that I very rarely carry cash and that I hoped I had enough with me….I searched my wallet and found $8.00. His meal cost $7.99. I’m not kidding.
When I brought it back to him, I found out that his name was Robert. He thanked me and I told him that I was doing this because Jesus loves him. He smiled and said he knew Jesus too and that he was a Christian. He then asked for a dollar so that he could catch the bus, and I told him I didn’t have anymore cash and again, that I don’t usually give out money. As I was pulling away, I noticed the change that I didn’t use when I rinsed off my Jeep, and yes, it was 4 quarters. I backed the car up and rolled down the window to give him the money. He said “the reason you’re doing this is because we both know Jesus.”
Now, was this guy for real? I don’t know. Did he go and buy alcohol with the change I gave him? I don’t know. Does he really know Jesus? Again, I don’t know….but this I do know…..I asked God for opportunities to love unconditionally, and He gave me some. If these men weren’t for real, thats not for me to decide, God can deal with their hearts. As I write this, the following passage comes to mind from Matthew 25:35-40:
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
If you’ve made it this far, I want a response from you. Not a comment telling me “good job” or “way to go”…I know I did a good thing and God gets the glory, I don’t need an accolade….the response I want from you is this: YOU ask God to put people in YOUR path that you can love well and love unconditionally. Keep your eyes open, because if you’re serious, He will do it…let me know how it goes.
Peace.
6 Comments
July 27, 2008 at 7:55 pm
This is a very motivating entry for me…… as I was reading, I was thinking “Man, I could do that too…..” How easy it is to just say no or drive away…. but how many times have I had leftovers that I have thrown away? How many times have I bought something unnecessary with my money when I could have been using it to glorify God? Sometimes I think people feel like the money that they place in the offering plate on Sundays is all that is required of them…. and I am guilty of this too…. but we could all do more……
July 27, 2008 at 11:43 pm
i’ve thought about how much easier it is for me to give to the needy in ethiopia than it is in america. i hope that God will change my heart so i can see no difference, but see them as equal, like Jesus.
July 28, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I am challenged! Thank you, dear friend!
July 30, 2008 at 1:35 am
I love that we can show the same kind of love in the same kind of way here in America. Thank you for the challenge to continue, help me stay accountable on this one, would you?
July 30, 2008 at 9:23 am
of course i will!
September 24, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Situations like that can be fun to navigate sometimes. I always prefer, when I have the chance, to give food instead of cash, probably for the same reason most other people do. We just don’t know what that person will be doing with it. I don’t even know if its biblical or not to be like that with our money.
A neat thing to do is to take advantage of gift cards that food places put out. A bunch of ten dollar gift cards from McDonald’s or Sonic can go a long way in feeding a hungry belly and not a bad habit, while at the same time fulfilling our obligation to give as we are asked to and in a way that calms our conscience.