It is always amazing to me when the Lord works in our lives. I happened to be on the way to the bank one day when I noticed a man standing in a parking lot. He looked like he was homeless, yet I really was not sure until I saw him wrap a blanket around his shoulders to keep warm. I got in the drive-thru lane at the bank and proceeded to do my business. Then, you guessed it, the thought popped into my mind about buying this man a cup of coffee. Suddenly my mind was bombarded with all the reasons “Not” to do this. For example, is it safe? is he dangerous? are you sure this is what I should do? Finally I prayed, “Now, Lord, if there is no one in the drive-thru of the place next door, I will know I am supposed to buy this man a breakfast along with a large coffee. Do I pray like this and ask God for signs? Absolutely!
I finished my banking and looked next door and sure enough the drive-thru was clear. I started driving in the narrow passageway when suddenly I did not see the homeless man. My eyes began searching the parking lot all the while I was slowly driving in the drive-thru lane. Suddenly my tires hit the bumps on the side of the lane and I began to laugh, only me! That is when I noticed the man had moved to the door of one of the stores. Whew! for a minute there I was thinking I was going to have to eat another breakfast. I ordered the biggest available breakfast with a large black coffee with cream and sugar on the side. The girl was pleasant at the window as she took the money and handed me the food and drink.
I then thought to myself what would I like to say to this gentleman? If I had two things to say to him, what would they be? I pulled the car in a parking spot on the man’s right side, popped out of the seat carrying the food and drink, walked over to him and said, “Sir, I have two things to say to you.” “First of all, Jesus loves you, and secondly He died for you.” The man smiled and said, “Thank you, and Yes!” He then looked up to Heaven and blew a kiss and then bowed his head. I got in my car and with tears in my eyes thanked God for the home, family, food and friends that I have. I began thinking about this man, this is someone’s son, or perhaps dad or grandpa. How did he arrive at this point at his life? I don’t know and truthfully I can’t judge him, for it is only by God’s Grace that I am not homeless.
I know that I can never reach every homeless person and to be truthful I am not the eager beaver that gives away money to everyone who asks. It was only a week before when a young woman around 20 years old, was in our mall sitting outside the nail salon and asked me for some money as I was passing by her. She was sitting with her friends and I happened to notice she had on acrylic nails. I do my own nails to save money and she by no means looked homeless or in need of any money. I believe God gives us wisdom as to what and who we should give our money to.
One of my coworkers had a great idea and that is to purchase a McDonald’s or some other fast food place’s gift card and then you can give the homeless people the card instead of money. What an idea!
