A simple act

This was a post that I had decided not to post a couple of weeks ago, but I have since decided that maybe I should post it in light of some of the reactions from Don’t give to the poor?

I was driving home from work yesterday and I saw a man begging on the off ramp by my house. As I drove past I had this strong compulsion to go take him out to lunch and talk to the guy. This was about the last thing in the world that I WANTED to do.

But, I have been a Christian long enough to know that when I “feel” this way, it usually means that God wants me to do it. So, I ignored it. I drove all the way home and sat in my car and debated with myself about whether or not I am “supposed” to do this.

I finally decided that if I am going to make a mistake, it might as well be by doing a nice thing rather than the alternative.

Once I got back to the off ramp, conveniently he was walking to his car parked on the outer road (yes, he owned a car, albeit a junker) so I pulled up next to him and talked to him for about 15 minutes (he said he was too busy to go to lunch with me, go figure) about his situation and what was going on in his life. It turns out he was living off the government sponsored disability program and trying to get money to pay his rent and his daughter’s house payment.

I tried to encourage him as best I could and convince him that he had the power to improve his situation, but that it wouldn’t happen automatically. It seemed to me that he wanted to believe me, but for some reason he couldn’t. He seemed to be locked into the mentality that he was stuck; almost to the point that he preferred using that as an excuse. I prayed with him, gave him the few dollars I had, and drove home.

I know that I was suppose to talk to this guy, and I did my very best to encourage him, but it really saddened me to see him truly BELIEVE that he was stuck. I don’t know what happened in his past, or what people had told him all of his life that caused him to believe those lies, but it really drilled into my head the fact that people need to be encouraged.

I can recall specific moments in my life when a simple encouraging word from someone helped me immensely. I can remember bad days that were caused by things that someone said, and I can remember great days that were fueled by a kind word or a complement. I don’t ever want to discount the power of such a simple act.

I want to say if there someone out there like the write prompted the above writeup then this for you. There are so many other ways you make if you don’t want to give to the poor which think you ought to, then give to God and the mission being carried out on behalf of the kingdom you can get a whole lot of motivation on this aspect and lots more on  this site www.rhapsodyofrealities.org.