Last Sunday I had an interesting encounter.
While driving to my friend, George’s, house, I passed a young girl, probably in her early twenties, standing on the corner near Home Depot, off the bypass in Surfside. While driving in the opposite direction suddenly two thoughts popped into my head; give what you have … pay it forward. I was so impressed by this call to help that I immediately turned my car around and headed back to where the girl was standing, pulled out what cash I had, opened my window and handed it to her. Her name was Andrea. Her boy friend was David … he was not with her.
After handing Andrea what cash I had, we struck up a conversation. Come to find out, for the past year both had been looking for employment but couldn’t find work, financially they were flat broke, and earlier that day she and her boy friend had been evicted, had no where to live, and no one to turn to for help. As for their families, they disowned them. Our conversation last probably about twenty minutes during which I found Andrea to be an intelligent optimistic young lady and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with her.
Anyway, as I prepared to leave, Andrea turned and asked if I would pray for them, which I promised I would. And with this I extended God’s blessing, I went on my way. Since Andrea and David have been in my prayers.
Only twice in my life have I had an epiphany to help someone out. The first time was in Chicago while ridding the “L”. To this day, I have not forgotten that encounter with the mother and her three children. It was a bitter cold windy day and standing behind me there she was, clutching her children close to keep them worm. By the look on their faces I could see they were hungry so I reached into my pocket, took out what I had, and handed it to the mother. Suddenly, a bright and beautiful smile came across her face as she quietly thanked me and told me that I was the first person who didn’t chastise her.
With the second encounter this past Sunday, I experienced the same inspiration. Now, I’m not the type of guy who is easily swayed to give a perfect stranger a hand out, specially cash. However, as strongly as I was being persuaded, responding to the invitation just couldn’t be resisted. As with the Chicago encounter, I believe that God was leading me to each individual, otherwise neither encounters would have been seared into my memory. Sure, I’ve helped others out, but the impact of that encounter has faded from memory. These two special encounters touched my life positively.
My point is this. First and foremost, as difficult as the last two months have been for me, comparatively there are those who, by leaps and bounds, have it worse then I. I truly believe that if it wasn’t for God’s divine intervention, I too could be sitting on a street corner asking perfect and sometimes cruel strangers for their generosity. Therefore, the next time I find myself encountering difficult times I only need to reflect back to the two encounters that has had a profound impact on my life.
Last but not least, God uses individuals like you and me to reach out to others. When God speaks to us we must listen. When He leads we must follow. You never know, the encounter He has in store for each of us just might be the difference in someone’s life that will last into eternity. Sometimes the simplest act of kindness makes all the difference. Therefore, the next time God speaks to you, listen and act.
“… when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me.’ ”
“Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’ ”
“Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’ ” -Matthew 25:35-40 (ERV)
Have a beautiful Sunday!
While driving to my friend, George’s, house, I passed a young girl, probably in her early twenties, standing on the corner near Home Depot, off the bypass in Surfside. While driving in the opposite direction suddenly two thoughts popped into my head; give what you have … pay it forward. I was so impressed by this call to help that I immediately turned my car around and headed back to where the girl was standing, pulled out what cash I had, opened my window and handed it to her. Her name was Andrea. Her boy friend was David … he was not with her.
After handing Andrea what cash I had, we struck up a conversation. Come to find out, for the past year both had been looking for employment but couldn’t find work, financially they were flat broke, and earlier that day she and her boy friend had been evicted, had no where to live, and no one to turn to for help. As for their families, they disowned them. Our conversation last probably about twenty minutes during which I found Andrea to be an intelligent optimistic young lady and I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with her.
Anyway, as I prepared to leave, Andrea turned and asked if I would pray for them, which I promised I would. And with this I extended God’s blessing, I went on my way. Since Andrea and David have been in my prayers.
Only twice in my life have I had an epiphany to help someone out. The first time was in Chicago while ridding the “L”. To this day, I have not forgotten that encounter with the mother and her three children. It was a bitter cold windy day and standing behind me there she was, clutching her children close to keep them worm. By the look on their faces I could see they were hungry so I reached into my pocket, took out what I had, and handed it to the mother. Suddenly, a bright and beautiful smile came across her face as she quietly thanked me and told me that I was the first person who didn’t chastise her.
With the second encounter this past Sunday, I experienced the same inspiration. Now, I’m not the type of guy who is easily swayed to give a perfect stranger a hand out, specially cash. However, as strongly as I was being persuaded, responding to the invitation just couldn’t be resisted. As with the Chicago encounter, I believe that God was leading me to each individual, otherwise neither encounters would have been seared into my memory. Sure, I’ve helped others out, but the impact of that encounter has faded from memory. These two special encounters touched my life positively.
My point is this. First and foremost, as difficult as the last two months have been for me, comparatively there are those who, by leaps and bounds, have it worse then I. I truly believe that if it wasn’t for God’s divine intervention, I too could be sitting on a street corner asking perfect and sometimes cruel strangers for their generosity. Therefore, the next time I find myself encountering difficult times I only need to reflect back to the two encounters that has had a profound impact on my life.
Last but not least, God uses individuals like you and me to reach out to others. When God speaks to us we must listen. When He leads we must follow. You never know, the encounter He has in store for each of us just might be the difference in someone’s life that will last into eternity. Sometimes the simplest act of kindness makes all the difference. Therefore, the next time God speaks to you, listen and act.
“… when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me.’ ”
“Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’ ”
“Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’ ” -Matthew 25:35-40 (ERV)
Have a beautiful Sunday!
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