A week ago, Jeremy and I went out to eat. We don't go to sit down restaurants as much as we would like, so this was a special treat. We had a great time talking and just being together. Afterwards, we headed over to Joanns so I could browse the jewelry and scrap-booking items. We actually left without buying anything! (Seriously, amazing!)
On our way out of the shopping center, we saw a man with a sign that simply read, "Hungry" I usually look right past people begging on the street corners, I hate to admit this but my heart is hard when it comes to the poor and needy. Now, I fully support homeless shelters, I pray for people who are homeless, jobless, orphans, etc. I have helped at such shelters, I donate items to the needy. However, when it comes to men and women begging on the streets for money, I typically look right past them. I am sure you have heard about people that pretend to be poor to make an easy buck. My thoughts have always been, if they are really homeless and need help, they will find it. (I know kinda harsh.)
Looking at this man standing there shaking(it looked as if he didn't have full control of his arms and body) holding a sign that didn't ask for money or drugs, it just said hungry. I encouraged my hubby to turn around and give this man our leftovers from the restaurant. It wasn't much, but it is what we could give in the moment. Jeremy gave it to him and said, "God Bless you." The man said the same to Jeremy and immediately opened the box and started eating.
It broke my heart and as I watched the simple exchange I broke down in tears. I felt helpless in a world of lost and broken people. Lost and broken people that I look past on a regular basis. A hurting people that need nothing more than the true Bread of Life.
Jeremy and I have had our financial troubles(as most young couples have.) We have wondered if we could afford to do this or that. We have never gone hungry. We have never been without a warm bed. We have never been without clean clothing. We have never felt so alone and hopeless.
I don't know how this will change my life style. I do know, though, I won't just look past hurting people. I know that I will be more thankful for what I have been blessed with. I will try harder to reach people, to love people, and to further the kingdom of my amazing father God.
"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, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" -Matthew 25:35-40
