God's amazing in the way He daily teaches me. The other day I drove to the grocery store. As I pulled into the parking lot I noticed a man on the corner holding a sign asking for money. This particular corner is continually occupied by people asking for money and I’ve found myself no longer noticing those on it.
This day I was on my cell phone (don’t tell Oprah – I am trying hard to make my car a “no phone” zone but I'm not quite there yet.) When I drove by this gentleman, I made eye contact with him. My normal response is to quickly look away. However, on this day I felt a nudge to lock eyes, smile and nod my head acknowledging him. The thought crossed my mind If he’s still there when you leave…give him money.
I forgot about him as I shopped but when I got in my car to head home, he was still on the corner with his sign. Normally the traffic makes it awkward to stop but on this day, no one else was around.
My earlier pledge to give him money returned to me. I didn’t know if this was God’s spirit nudging me or just a random thought. I do know that I have a tendency to ignore this “voice” because it often puts me in uncomfortable situations or at times costs me something. I figured I better listen so I stopped, rolled down my window and handed the man some money.
He graciously accepted the money and “God-blessed” me. Then he said something that opened my eyes, “I saw you on your phone when you came in. You smiled at me. I wanted to tell you that you have a pretty smile.”
Wow – I was temporarily speechless. I regained my composure and told him he’d made my day. I drove off lost in thought. He recognized and remembered me.
So many times I drive by the individuals on the street asking for help and look straight through them. It’s not intentional, but that’s what I do. I figured they do the same with me. They see so many of us a day I assumed they look through us too.
However, it hit me…they see us not see them!
A snowball of thoughts ran through my head. What does it feel like to be invisible? When I’ve “looked through them” in the past, what did I do to their self-worth? Even worse, how does it make God feel? I’ve watched kids on the playground ignore my children as they tried to join in and it broke my heart.
Am I breaking God’s heart as I look through others on the street (think Brandon Heath’s song Give Me Your Eyes)?
I know this is a controversial topic, but is it okay to look at those on the street but not give? Is acknowledging them alone enough? How do you think Jesus wants us to reach out to those on the street who are at a low point in life?
I’m still mulling through this as this gentleman’s words ring fresh in my ears. What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear.
Comments
It is hard though, but I think so worth while. Thanks for reminding me!
That is an eye-opening thought. Thank you! I look forward to sharing this with my church sometime.
My family and I come across so many homeless people as we travel around the US at exit ramps, grocery stores, and parks. We starting making homeless kits to hand out containing water, some type of trail mix or granola bar, rain poncho, socks, and a little note telling them that they truly matter. It is a great way to give them something of value without handing money over. We have seen so many grateful faces because we stopped and handed something other than money.
Thank you for sharing your story!! I am blessed by it, and hope that you find yourself seeing them see you in their eyes.