Last week, my husband and I flew to Texas to visit my younger brother. Coming from North Carolina, I was very excited to get the big city feel of Dallas and explore all the local attractions! We went to the JFK museum, visited countless restaurants and of course the highlight of any important trip...the Mall!!!*
It was such a beautiful time. I don't get to see my brother as often as I'm accustomed to, since he's moved so far away. All I really wanted was to relax, have fun with him and enjoy his friends and my husband. In my mind, this trip was about getting away and enjoying myself with people that I love.
Of course, the Lord had other lesson plans for me!
On the night before Easter, we were driving back to my brother's place after eating an enormously unbalanced, but extremely delicious, dinner. We had so much food, it was unnecessary. We laughed and ate and joked loudly... we were people without a care in the world. Upon leaving the restaurant, we were stopped at a red light, and typical of most large cities, there was a homeless man standing on the corner, holding his sign. It was a cool night, but the man had on only a dingy T-shirt. He paced around, as if to combat the chilling night air and would not look up at any of the cars. His sign was hard to make out, but, in my mind, it was the typical, "Homless, please help. God bless" sort of sign. In my heart, I had no pity. To me, he was just "another homeless guy".
He was fairly young and decent looking. What had he done to put himself in that situation? Probably wasted his life on bad choices, is usually the assumption. Maybe he's on drugs, or maybe he's addicted to alcohol; maybe both. Maybe he dropped out of school or maybe he's just lazy... Typical responses and an attitude that really reflects the lack of compassion that has choked away at our culture, as a whole.
In the few seconds it took to wait at that stop light, I had already cast judgement on this person, based upon the stereo types that halo around our Homeless population. It never even occurred to me that he might actually need help. It's been wired, at least in my mind, that giving money might result in a person spending it on their addiction and not on a need. I've seen news reports of "Millionaire-Homelessness", where people exploit other's good gestures, without really needing it. I immediately dismissed him. Perhaps, being completely honest with you and with myself, I was even operating through self-righteousness.
Before the red light changed, my brother quickly asked me to hand him a bottle of water that he had in the back seat. It was luke-warm and off-branned, with a grocery store label on it. It wasn't money, it wasn't food; it was just water. The man ran up to accept the gift and I smiled, hypocritically, only to feel a shower of shame, as he turned from us and began to wipe his face. It was such a humbling and haunting experience to witness this man crying on the side of the road, over an off-branded, luke-warm, bottle of water. I'll never forget that moment.
Never in my life had I ever witnessed such a brokenness of spirit and a vulnerable disposition as I saw in this man. I immediately was overcome with embarrassment and self scolding. How could I have been so harsh in my thoughts towards him? Aren't I the one praying constantly for God to give me ideas on how I can serve my community? Aren't I the one encouraging the girls in Pearls to give back and come up with ways in which we can volunteer and serve others? Yet, when I saw this man in need, I quickly assumed that he wasn't. I quickly dismissed him; never giving him a chance to begin with. It broke my heart, as we drove away. Yet God used that experience to move my heart as well.
Without giving too much information, that was not the last time we saw that man. We were able to share somethings with him and The Lord really ministered to me, as we ministered to our homeless brother. Regardless of the situations that led him to his present state of being, he is still God's child; created in God's image and created with a purpose and a promise, just like you and just like me. He was humbled and grateful to accept assistance, I was humbled and grateful to have learned a valuable lesson and to see scripture come alive for me that night.
In Matthew, chapter 25, Jesus tells a parable about people one day being confronted with the motives of their hearts. He explains that there will come a day when He will examine our hearts and our deeds and He will turn people away, because they did not love others or show compassion towards those in need. But there will be those whose lives and attitudes demonstrate their love for God through their involvement with others and their compassion to give and to serve, freely and out of love:
36} 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.’
37}“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40} “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.’
Humbly and with great conviction, I admit that there have been instances where I overlooked an opportunity to feed Jesus. I've ignored people who needed my help, not recognizing that it was really Jesus asking me to give of myself. What about you? Have you ever missed out on an opportunity to serve the Savior by loving others? If we are completely honest, the answer to the question for all of us is, "Yes". But here is the beautiful thing, God's mercies are new, every day (Lamentations 3:23)! Every day, we get an opportunity for a fresh start and a new outlook, eagerness and earnestness to do as unto The Lord! In God's amazing grace, through His love in Jesus, we get a second chance to Seize the Day!
As I close, I think about that man in Texas. I think about how I completely messed up, missed the mark and forfeited an opportunity to stretch out my hands in love, instead of withholding them in judgement. My little brother did not. He didn't hesitate to offer what he had, and in so doing, he touched a life while blessing mine. I am a work in progress, like we all are. Yet in my weakness, Christ is made strong! In my humility, His word brings power and conviction and chases away the shadows of my doubt and of my unbelief.
Even though there are those who manipulate the system and prowl on the giving hearts of others, that is not an excuse to eliminate all those in need and place judgement or stereotype anyone; because in reality, it is only by the grace of God that I am not in a similar situation. If it had not been for God's loving kindness, where would any of us be? Our response is to have a willing heart and seek His voice for direction, using Godly wisdom and obedience to act, based upon what we feel Jesus is asking us to do. If it's to give a few dollars to a homeless person, as you pass, then do so! If it's to say a silent prayer as you pass a wreck on the highway, lift your hands and your heart to heaven! Do you need to call a sick loved one and encourage them? What about your neighbor, do they need assistance in some area?
However God lays it on your heart to respond, do it joyfully, without judgement or complaining! Do it as unto The Lord! Respond with grace and compassion! If you're not sure what you can do, don't worry, He will make it very clear to you. Your response is what will make the difference. One day, He might actually ask us, "what did you do for me in your lifetime?" I hope we can all say with a smile, "Lord, I loved your people". I think that is a response that will make our Savior smile!
Love God; Love People!
~Pearls
