On this past Saturday afternoon, my two girls and I visited our local McDonald’s for some ice cream relief from the Florida heat. As we exited the drive through, we saw a homeless man sitting on the curb. I’ve always taught my girls that it’s always good to help someone in need, so it was no surprise to me that my girls spoke up and said “Mom, we’d like to give some of our money to the homeless man”.
I slowed the car, rolled down the window, and invited the man to come to the car for some money to help him. He was so happy. He leaped off the curb, with a skip in his step to come and receive his monetary gift. He greeted us with a great big smile, and thanked us profusely for our kindness. As he began to walk away, he turned around and said “God Bless You and Thanks again; I’m going to share this with my friend”. I looked up and there was another homeless man sitting on the curb as well. I was completely stunned at the selfless act of the homeless man. He had nothing. He received, and the little he received, the first thing he wanted to do was help someone else… his friend.
I thought to myself, there are those of us who have much and hoard what we have and keep it for ourselves, not sharing or giving to others. A homeless man showed me what selflessness is all about. He put the need, and interest of his friend before his own. That’s how I want to be! We are all blessed to be a blessing! No matter what we have to give; time, money, or a listening ear, we should give selflessly.
I think of that day often and marvel at the compassion this homeless man showed for his friend. What a blessing he was to me that day. I believe in helping those who are less fortunate than I am, with whatever I have to offer.
I admonish you to purposely look for someone you can help today. Seek them out. Don’t wait to be asked to help, but be willing to go out of your way to help someone today!
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”
Matthew 25:44-45 (NKJV)
God oftrn sends you what you need when you needed it... WOW - I am going to bind my tounge and give as the Lord would want for me to give. This is what God would have wanted....Interesting how God manages to communicate the message at the right time...
ReplyDelete@ Keisha: Thanks for reading the blog and commenting! I'm glad to hear that the blog was inspiring to you! Glad it moved you to action!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteAmazing the lessons that we can learn from those who are less fortunate than us. The very fact that the homeless man was willing to share ALL that he had with his fellow man is so Christ-like its amazing. If that's not obedience, i don't know what is. Great writing and such a great lesson!!!! (JC)
ReplyDelete