I have gone back and forth about sharing this story in such a public way. Part of me feels that by sharing it, somehow, I would be boasting or trying to draw attention to myself. I trust that after searching my heart and holding my motives before God that my intentions here are pure. By sharing the following experience I really just hope to encourage others to listen to that still, small voice that may arise in your spirit during your everyday walking around life!

For a while now, I have been intentional about asking the Lord to open my eyes to show me where He is already working. Praying for a keen awareness of His Kingdom coming to earth. Praying for boldness to step into that work! Yesterday I was given that opportunity...and I accepted the gift!

As I was driving to meet my sister for lunch, I turned off the highway entering into downtown Grand Rapids. At the light situated at the end of the exit ramp stood a man, in the middle of the lanes of traffic. His body was crooked, leaning heavily on a cane. He seemed to be having a difficult time standing up, balancing both his cane and a small cardboard sign:  hungry and homeless it said. Immediately, I knew that I was going to step in. There have been many times, when faced with the same or similar situations, I would choose to look the other way. Too many times, if I am shamefully honest! But not this time.

I drove to a nearby fast food restaurant, purchased a couple of cheesburgers, some fries and a coffee. (it was chilly yesterday...otherwise an icy cold cola would have seemed more appropriate...)  Driving back towards the man, I felt a warmth; almost an electricity coursing through my body. Maybe it was nerves...but I am more inclined to credit the Holy Spirit.

After finding a (very illegal) place to park my car, I put on the hazard lights, grabbed the food and made my way through the traffic to where "hungry and homeless" stood. His back was to me and he couldn't hear me calling out to him until I was practically standing beside him! As he turned toward me, and realized my reason for being there, his eyes softened and seemed to tear up a bit. We shuffled toward the side of the road, and I handed him the cup of coffee and the fragrant, steaming bag.

"I brought you some lunch!" I said. He smiled at me, looked down at the offering in my hands and accepted it. "Oh man...thank you maam. You just made my day!"  He struggled a bit, holding the bag and the cup along with his cane and sign. Part of me wanted to take the sign but I figured he would probably need it again in a few hours. He managed to balance everything and I decided we better part ways; my car was holding up traffic and the business lunch crowd was growing impatient by the inconvenience.

As I returned to my car, I eyed a Bible on the backseat. I hadn't remembered seeing it there but I scooped it up and ran back to the man. He looked startled by my return, but I held out the Bible and said "Would you like a Bible?" (looking back now, I'm not sure how exactly he would have carried it)  He looked at me and told me he already owned a Bible, that I should keep it! I felt an urgency, a pressure to say something profound and meaningful. "I love you, brother!"  That is what I came up with...

Turning my car around, I glanced in my rear-view mirror to see another man approaching the man I just was talking with, and then receive one of the cheeseburgers being offered to him! He was hungry and homeless too, I am guessing...

As I was driving across town, now late in meeting my sister, the electric pounding sensation increased throughout my body. I felt tears rolling down my cheeks.  I was overcome with the thought that with that simple gesture: 15 minutes out of my schedule and about $5.00 out of my wallet; "hungry and homeless" had become my brother.

 

"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven..."