Well, today was ironic.
It's like God said to me, "Before you can talk about how other Christians react to poor people, let's see how you react." So the story begins:
It was a relatively bright day here in Cleveland, Tennessee. The rainy and overcast skies had finally faded away and the sun was trying to shine through. A week ago, I ran out of...well every necessity a college girl needs (soap, toothpaste, makeup, hairspray, etc.). So, I decided I would finally complete the monotonous task of driving all the way to Wal-mart and buying these important items. After I arrived at Wal-mart, I collected the items on my list, and checked out. $58.76. That was a chunk of cash for and 18 year old, college student with no legal (or illegal) income. Never the less, I grabbed my bags and left.
As I was exiting the Wal-mart parking lot, a man standing on a street corner caught my eye. He was older, probably late 60's. He was wearing a stained, tan colored t-shirt, covered with holes. His overly worn jeans sagged as did his face, and his feet were bare. He held a cardboard sign that read, "Please help me. God Bless."
I tried not to make eye contact because I thought I didn't have anything to give him. But as I began to pull away, I looked in my back seat and saw $58.76 worth of blessings I could have shared with that man. My spirit stirred. Immediately, I turned my car around and went to the Walgreens located across the street from where the man was standing. I bought him socks, a shirt, water, trail mix, soap, chap-stick, and gum. In this bag of merchandise, I also placed my old pink and brown Bible. I know, I know. Pink and brown? Next time I'll be more prepared with a gender-neutral Bible. I returned to him, handed him the bag, and said "God Bless". He thanked me and ran to the corner of the street and began looking through the grocery bag like it was filled with gold. I drove away feeling, not as if I had done something good, but that God had used me as a vessel to do something to further His kingdom.
I tell you this story not for self-gratification or a pat on the back, but as a humbling realization that at one point, we have ALL ignored God's voice telling us to act. If we fail to share our food with the poor, don't let our spirits be settled. Act. When we pass a woman sitting on the street, don't say "I don't have time to turn around". Act. If all you have to give is your heart, act.
QUOTE:
"We only have what we give."
-Isabel Allende
