The homeless know
11/28/2007 04:38 a.m.


This isn’t an amazing story, but it is a true account of what happened to me last week. Also, I don’t mean to talk about giving money to the needy. I keep my good deeds to myself so that I don’t get rewarded here on earth. God sees all things hidden – good and bad.

Anyway, I was sent one of those chain emails, a Chicken Soup For the Soul type stories about some woman who bought breakfast for some poor men who only had enough money for one cup of coffee between the two of them. And in this story, the woman gave them their breakfast trays and told them how much Jesus loves them and is providing for them through her. Then you were suppose to pass it two 3 people to get your wish eventually, 5 people to get your wish in a week . . . yadda yadda yadda. I don’t usually participate in passing on such things. I believe in God, his plan is not always my plan, and passing on an email to a certain number of people won’t do anything to change that.

However, the message I did get from this story was to point to God as the source of all, even the Egg McMuffin given to you by a stranger. I know when someone is begging for money, I am suppose to give them some. God gave it to me one way or another, and I need to pass along the blessing. But I never say “Here, this is from God” Or “God loves you” Sometimes I say “God bless you”, but not always. I need to remember to give the glory to God.

Last week I was running an errand for work when I was approached by a woman. She said she needed $2.50 to ride the bus to the driver’s license place to get a picture I.D. so she could receive aid from some rescue mission . . . I took out my wallet (carefully), looked in it, and said I only had $1.50 and handed it to her. I was lying, but I wanted to save my quarters for my laundry. Well, God gave me a shove, my purse dropped and quarters went spilling out on the sidewalk. The woman said, “Oh please can I have the change?” As I was picking the coins up and handing them to her she was praising God. “Oh Jesus loves me, she cried, oh thank you God.” I was to busy feeling like an ass for my lie being discovered to point to God as the source of her divine providence. But now I realize, she already knew, and was already thanking Jesus. What do beggars and homeless people say 95% of the time you give them money? “God bless you.” They know.

I am currently Reflective
I am listening to silence