gut feelings. we've all had them. we don't always listen to them though...they are quite hard to deny! sometimes the feeling is so strong you'd swear it was God speaking intuition straight to the heart, straight to the gut. God entered my gut today. the message was so forceful i had to swing my car around and go do what He was calling me to do. i knew i had to listen to this one and take action. i honestly felt i would live the next few days in regret if i didn't. it was really that intense.
so here is the deal: i'm driving back home from the farmer's market. it's a sunshine filled day. i scored some great stuff at the market and am on my way to finish an errand before i get home. i approach a stop light and see a homeless man begging. i have never once seen someone begging at this corner, let alone this neighborhood so he came as a suprise to my eyes. he was frail, dark skinned and probably aged to about sixty. he was holding a sign that read something like "in need of help, God bless"... he stood there, stark with a blank look of sorrow on his shallow face. it sadden me so bad that i felt unworthy of finishing the last few bites of my breakfast while pulled next to him at the light. i felt selfish in a sense, how much i have compared to how little he has created feelings of undeserving.... so now i'm feeling surprised, sadden and selfish. i knew i had to do something and God was about to show me what.
i drove a few blocks debating if i should turn around. i had cash but don't like to give cash to homeless people out on the street because i don't know exactly how it will be used and do not want to support alochol or drug addiction if that's the case. so cash = out. i like to give food and hope though. i remembered i had some fresh medjool dates in my glovebox from yesterday. i also had a bottle of high quality oxygen water. i put two and two together and God was like "what are you waiting for? turn around NOW!" hey when God calls you - you best listen! there is no backing down with the Lord. with that being said, i swing batta batta bing my car around to go find this man.
i pull up next to him in the right hand lane and roll my window down to get his attention. i holler a hello a few times before he realized someone actually stopped to help him out. i hand him the dates, making sure he knows there are seeds inside, and the water. he says thank you, takes it and walks to put it in his bag. the light turns green and as i drive off i yell to him "GOD LOVES YOU!!!" i wasn't sure if he heard but i'd like to believe he did. maybe a sweet sparkle in his eyes tells me so. my heart twinkled as i went on my way, on my day. i generally would not just up and out share something like this as i like to keep good deeds in God's eyes but i felt this would be an encouraging entry to write about. no boasting or bragging, instead a simple suggestion to do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. we all need a little help, some more than others. a small act of kindness can make a big difference in one's world so reach out and help someone in need. the internal reward is just as satisfying as the reward of help being given.
i only wish i had some Bible handouts to give as well. i will have to look into getting some as they will really come in handy during moments like today. i feel as Christians it's part of our devotion to the Lord to share His Good News and bring as many people to Him as possible while living in the flesh. it's part of our purpose and mission.
Matthew 7:12
"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
Proverbs 17:17
"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."
1 Corinthians 9:23
"I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings."
heart to heart: how and who will you help today???
