So, for the past week or so God has really been impressing on me to listen when he directs me to help someone.  It started after I read a sweet friend’s blog about how she was obedient in taking some watermelon to her neighbor and ended up ministering to him in a powerful way.  Then a guest pastor at our church last weekend talked of a guy who bought a bunch of dress shirts on clearance that were not in his size and had no idea what he was supposed to do with them.  He came across a young, struggling pastor who desperately needed them and they just happened to be in his size.  Coincidence? Hardly…

On Monday, I heard another similar story on the radio as I drove to work and finally prayed “Okay, I get it, Lord!”  I prayed that I would find someone who really needed my help during the week and that God would use me to answer that persons prayer.  About 15 minutes later, I parked my car and went to up to the machine to pay.  Along came a man who I have seen several times over the past 6 months or so.  His request is always for money to help buy food for his kids.  I’ve given him small amounts of cash before if I have it.  Sometimes I don’t.  I just haven’t really thought much of him other than as a slight annoyance to encounter as I am rushing to get in to the office to start work.  This time wasn’t much different.  I gave him what I had and we both went on our way.  Then it struck me as I left and my thoughts were something like this, “God, this can’t be the person.  It is so awkward to be asked for money and I don’t even know this guys’ story.  I’ve never seen any kids and for all I know he just wants to buy drugs or alcohol and I would just be enabling him and blah, blah, blah.”  Surely, all of us have had these thoughts at times about someone asking for a handout.  But what I heard back from God was “I love him.  Trust me.”  Silence.  It was pretty hard to argue with that.  I kept thinking about him all day and God brought to mind how Jesus called himself “the bread of life”.  In John 6:35 he says, “He who comes to me will never go hungry.”  I knew that I could give this man (I don’t even know his name) money and he could eat but would certainly be hungry again.  What he desperately needs is a Savior who will truly satisfy and he needs someone who can point the way.   I decided that I would go and get a gift card to a close-by grocery store to give to him the next time I saw him.  I also bought a bible for him.  I want him to know how much God loves him and plan to tell him when I give this gift.   I don’t work every day, so I haven’t seen him again.  And I don’t know how he will take what I have to offer, but I will trust and I will pray.  I would love to  invite you to pray too!