It was a beautiful day. Although the sun was shining brightly the air was frigged and the wind took our breath away. Everywhere we looked there were remnants of the week's snow on the ground. The kids and I hurried to the car after our shopping trip to the local grocery store. All buckled up and heat blasting we made our way back out to the main road.
And there he sat. I had seen him when we first pulled into the parking lot. He was sitting on an old cooler all bundled up; one could barely see his face. In his hands he held a sign that read, "I'm hungry." I pulled out onto the main road, not giving him a second glance as I drove past. Then, checking my rear view mirror, his image caught my eye again. At that moment my heart was pricked; the Holy Spirit began speaking to me, "This man is hungry. What are YOU going to do?"
As I continued driving my oldest child said to me, "Mom, did you see that man sitting there? He is hungry. Can we give him so food?" "Yes. Yes, we can!" Those words barely leaving my mouth, I pulled into the next fast food restaurant we came to and ordered almost one of everything on the menu. Food in hand, we headed back to the place where the man last sat. Praying that he would still be there, I drove as fast as I could back to him. Praise the Lord, he was still there. I pulled into the parking lot, put the car in park, and walked toward this man who was hungry.
My daddy always told me to never pick up strangers, but this wouldn't fall into that category, right? My heart was pounding as I got closer and closer to him. What would I say? What would he say? As I got closer he stood to his feet and began to walk toward me. I extended my arms to him and saw tears filling his eyes. Handing him the food I said, "Sir, can I just tell you that Jesus loves you so much." Stuttering, he responded, "God bless you."
I turned and began walking back to my car where my kids were watching and tears streamed down my face. "Well done", I heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart. A lady pulled up beside me and commented on what had just happened. Her last comment to me as she drove off was, "You inspire me." I got back in my car and talked with my children about what we had just done. The ladies comment kept ringing in my ears, "You inspire me." As my kids and I talked, I shared with them that our love and desire to serve the Lord should be the inspiration behind everything we do and say.
Since that day there have been numerous "teachable" moments that have stemmed from that experience. I praise the Lord for the opportunity He gave us to serve and to look beyond ourselves.
Every day, God gives us opportunities to serve and to minister to others. What are you and I going to do with those opportunities- drive past or stop?
"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."Matthew 25:35, NIV
5 Lovely Thoughts Shared:
you do inspire me - I often drive by these people thinking they aren't real - and then my heart breaks, and want to turn around but I try to get it out of my head. Thank you for reminding me that - that man could have been Jesus himself and just wanting my Obedience.
Cheryl
That is beautiful and I cried along with you. I am always so torn when I see people on the side of the road. I have stopped and given money, but so many times I wonder if they are just out there to rip off people. I pray God will continue to prick our hearts when it truly is a person in need.
Thank you for sharing this.
Beth
Thank you! You inspire me as well.
You are a beautiful inspiration.
Jenifer, My husband and I have helped,... and haven't helped people like that,...and it is hard to KNOW if it is the right thing to do, to give *money* to them. But the food is another thing.
I think you were definitely led to give that man food. Maybe that is the answer,...let the Holy Spirit lead us.
At any rate,...we need to be willing and ready to help those in need. We have had people living in our home that were homeless, (friends and family), and we struggle with it when they stay for years at a time. My brother has been here for over a year, (this time). He has no job and no possesions. He would be homeless if we didn't help him. He has lived with us many times over our 33 yr. marriage. He is not a Christian.
Would you pray for him to accept Christ. It is hard to know what to do in our situation. He has fears and insecurities, and emotional problems. So, we try to help him,...but it is hard to know how.
He argues if we share Christ with him. He says he loves God,...but does not believe Christ is also God.
It is so hard at times. I question if we should force him to get help elsewhere,...after all we are Christians and he is my brother. And I do feel like he needs us.
But he is 56 years old and has been married 5 times and now has a lady friend who has nothing either.
He has adult kids, but only a slight relationship with one son. He hasn't supported them.
If he ever gets money,..from odd jobs, he gambles it.
Any ideas as to what we should do? We always think if we don't help him he could take his life.
Could use prayers.
Linda
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