Taking Time

Yesterday during my lunch hour I decided to run to our local craft store to pick up some items for my paintings. I had some coupons so of course I had to use them. :) They sure know how to get you to spend money!!!
Anyways on my way--I was sitting at a red light waiting to turn and noticed something that completely warmed my heart and put my mind in motion. Let me back up a bit and fill yall in....the area of town I work in is pretty much surrounded by businesses and working people...the lunch hour is CRAZY around town. Everyday I see about 2 or 3 different men who appear to be homeless...standing on the corner with a sign asking for money. I know this is a sensitive subject with many people.....people get angry and shout out "bums"....many drive right by them but they are out there everyday. I DO NOT know the truth about these men....I dont know if they are homeless or just jobless.....I dont know if they are Chrisitans or not....I dont know if they have families.......drug dealers......theives.....alcoholics.....etc.....I do know that these men are Gods children though and we are to love them just as God does. I am very guilty of driving by these men daily.....I will not lie there! I have been known to give to pan handlers before--I figure they answer for it one day Im just taking care of a brother or sister....so judge me the way you wish. I just pray that the money is not used for drugs or beer.

Okay so back to what I saw yesterday. I have seen a man around a few times.....standing on the corner asking for money....this man literally has a concaved skull. I mean its pretty known that if you are  missing half your brain then you are sure to have some mental problems....right?!?! I dont know Im not a Dr but whatever this mans situation is he begs for money often. So, yesterday as Im sitting at the red light I notice this man sitting on the curb {of a Starbucks and busy busy intersection} eating a McDonalds meal and a drink. Sitting beside this man is a lady in a black dress {which clearly appeared to be a lady that works in the area}. Now I do not know exactly what happened or even what she was doing sitting there but I will tell you what my mind started thinking. It appeared that this lady had bought this man lunch and instead of handing it to him and going on with her work day she TOOK A FEW MINUTES and sat with him. He was not alone....Im sure he is not use to a lady in work clothes....carrying her designer bag to sit down and have lunch with him. This may sound silly to you or you may be thinking "how did this warm your heart" but it just reminded me of the little things in life. Im so blessed to be able to buy food, go to work, have my mental health, live in a house......"By the grace of God there go I". I started to question myself....how often do I stop in my busy day and give someone less fotunate my time or even share the TRUTH of Jesus Christ. I know Im a girl and I have to be smart with the way I do things and who I approach but what if a GROUP invited this man on the corner into the nearest restraunt {walk...you dont have to put a stranger in your car} and fed him....share with him LOVE.

Romans 12:13 — “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

I started thinking--the place I live is not MY house but GODS house....its not MY money but GODS money...not MY food but GODS food. Yes I work hard for this stuff but God blesses me with it all!

Proverbs 19:17 — “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”

I do realize that if you give to the poor bc you know its what God wants but its not what you want then it means very little if anything to God. He wants us to give from the love in our heart...not by what we let others see and know we are giving. Give generously but from your heart.....pray about where you can give and how. It may not be MONEY you give to someone--I didnt see the lady on the corner giving this man money...I saw her giving him her TIME!!! She was giving him a friend....a kind voice. I found myself praying at that moment--how amazing would it be if she was sharing Gods love with him....telling him he has a father that will provide as long as he allowed him in....how awsome is that!!

I know I find myself staying in my "comfort zone" but I also know that I rarely meet a stranger. I pray that I could start to use my outgoing personality and words to reach out to the less fortunate and I realized all this by a lady who took a few minutes to sit on the curb with this man I see often.

James 2:14-17 — “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”