I love the rain. It is calming and forceful at the same time. Even with the noise of two kids playing, nothing can drown out the sound of the rain.
A few weeks ago, when it was raining, I was sent to the store to buy a cup of coffee. Outside of the store, there was a man who was asking for money.
From what my eyes could see, he was down on his luck.
Now where I’m from, the first thing that usually comes out of people’s mouths when they see a beggar is that they are going to spend the money on a habit be it alcohol or substance abuse.
In many cases, this is true, but I have to believe that this is not true in all cases.
When I walked in the store, he asked me for some change. I didn’t have any at the time, since I had to “make change.” But I told him I will come back to him.
When I left the store, he wasn’t where I left him.
It wasn’t until I looked both left and right that I spotted him.
When I called to him, he was startled, and said, “Oh! I forgot all about you.”
1 John 3:17-18
If we have all we need and see one of our people in need, we must have pity on that person, or else we cannot say we love God. Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it.
How is it to go through our daily lives asking for help, and knowing that most days we will be ignored?
How would we feel being the underclass of society, and truly forgotten?
You see when he said those words, all these things has come to my mind, but it wasn’t the first thing that I said.
My response:
But I didn’t forget about you.
I gave him what help that I could, and I directed him where he can go to receive more.
I have to believe that:
- What help I give him is going to help him and not hurt him.
- No matter what, Jesus doesn’t want us to forget about those who are less fortunate than us.
- Even though I am not well off, that I can still help those that are not where I am today.
I believe these things because I know I am loved by God. I know that God loves me just like he loves the beggar in the street.
This man was doubtful, and asked me, “Really, you didn’t forget me?” To which I said, “No. I remembered you.”
I wish that I could have done more to help him. I wish that I could have offered more assistance than I did, but it was the idea that someone thought about him that startled him the most.
Whether it was a test of my devotion, or just a sign from heaven, I will never forget the look on his face when I told him that I didn’t forget him.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Soften our hearts for those who are less fortunate than us. Let us take pity on them and have faith that they crossed our paths for us to meet and do something about. Let us not just talk about love but let us live the example that Jesus has shown us.
Amen.
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This was a blessing and a reminder to me to really notice, to really see, to really care like Jesus does. I’m right next to you at Deidra’s this week.
I’m greatful that this post touched you Elizabeth.
You did a truly wonderful thing! I don’t generally think they will use it for bad things and even if they did I don’t know that I’d care (other than I wouldn’t want it to kill them) because we all have our demons. However, sometimes I am skeptical about being scammed from people just pretending to be in need. We had a family that would come to our town when the weather was nice every year and they would beg. They would keep their nice car tucked away so you couldn’t see it and you would often see them having lunches at places I can’t afford to go to on a daily basis. After about three years the police finally told them they couldn’t come back to our town. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut feeling. The eyes of someone really tells a lot. But I honestly don’t help those in need as much as I should. It is something I need to change.
It is always the actions of the few that really taints the idea of charity. It’s usually hard to tell if someone needs charity or not, and it doesn’t help if people take advantage of one another.
I try to go with my gut feeling and know that if I did give to someone I did it out of love for that person.
This is so heart warming Kalley! I hear Jesus throughout..I hear His voice say clearly, “But I did’t forget about you.” We are constantly on His mind even when it doesn’t seem like it. He knows our name, like He knows the name of each star in the sky. He even knows how many strands of hair is on each of our head. Such amazing love!
You are so right Yvonne, He is always thinking of us, always caring. When we feel like no one is listening (or reading our words) we can take solace because we know He is.
Yes, yes, to the truth of Scripture, to your prayer, to your tender sweet heart’s call, Kalley …
Thank you so much Linda. I hope you have a great weekend. 🙂
Kalley,
What a blessing you were to let that man know you hadn’t forgotten him and by extension, God hadn’t forgotten him….it is always hard to know what to do…I try to carry snack bars and $5 gift cards for food (Alene S’s idea)…bless your tender heart 🙂
Snack bars and gift cards are a great idea to carry with us. Something I should do more often. Most cases I just go to the store and pick something up.
Ahh, Kalley this is so sweet and such what simple thing to let some one know that you see them and they matter.