After an unexpected long travel day, the last thing on my mind was how to let God love others through me. It was late; my eyes longed for sleep, my stomach growled as I shivered from the cold. Cranky seems to rule the roost at times like this. I felt entitled to a pass. Do you know what I mean?
Thank goodness, a calm person picked me up and happily agreed to stop and get me something to eat. It seemed as though my day had held one unexpected problem after another. When we arrived at Arby’s, of course, my wallet was in the very back and hard to reach. Instead of cash, I grabbed a credit card and proceeded to the door.
All I could think about was how I wanted to get to my destination, and the straightest route possible would be ideal. You see, I had been rerouted all day long. What should have been a short flight turned into an all-day odyssey, and I was worn out. This lady was in no mood to be gracious and helpful.
Remember the post, Do Lost People Matter to You? Well, I’m embarrassed to say I am not sure that hurting people did at this particular moment. However, I was about to find out if my words matched my walk.
As I approached the door, a pair of sweet eyes looked up at me from the ground, and a gentle voice said,
“Maam, do you have any money to spare?”
Quickly I replied, “No, I am sorry I don’t have any.”
At first, I felt vindicated as the half-truth rolled off my lips. I honestly had no money on me, but I did in the car.
As I waited for my sandwich, I felt so pulled toward this homeless man outside. I wondered…
Where is his family? Are the shelters full? Would it help to give him money? Is he cold? It is 30 degrees out, and all he had was a scranny blanket. Is he hungry? Why me? Why tonight?
Hmm, I had a choice – I could dig through my things in the car and try to come up with some money. I could judge him unworthy and lazy. Heck, I could even take a pass; after all, I was tired, hungry, cold, and cranky with good reason. My day had been hard.
This young homeless man was but a few years older than my son, and his tender eyes pulled at my heartstrings to love him in some way. It didn’t have to be a “perfect way” or a way that was going to pull him out of being homeless, just a way to say, “I see you, and I care. “So I ordered up another sandwich, some sauce, and a drink and proceeded out the door.
There wasn’t much left in me to give—a little sandwich, a smile, and to share a bit of God’s love.
- Could I have given more? Absolutely.
- Could I have helped in a better way? Possibly.
But I did something, and my actions said, “I see you, and you matter.” I allowed God to love this young man through a small gesture that took but a few extra efforts.
One of my favorite decorations to unpack each year is our family’s Jesus stocking. Seeing it hanging reminds me to love others God’s way. We fill it with love deeds done for others, especially when done in secret. It is a way of thanking God for giving us “Jesus,” the most magnificent gift we will ever receive. Click here and visit my holiday favorites if you would like to get one too.
Will we allow God to love others through us? We must be intentional daily. We must look for opportunities and choose to love. #mareedee #intentionalchristmaslove #loveothers Share on XHolidays can be stressful for many. Let’s spread the love together and keep this going throughout the holiday season and beyond.
It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you… yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand. Mother Teresa
Intentional Christmas Love
I felt the same what on a trip to Toronto where I saw so many young men living on the street. It was heartbreaking as I walked past them with my son, who was the same age as many of them. All we can do is obey the Spirit’s promptings and give the sandwich, the smile, or the money as He makes us able.
So true. My problem is pausing long enough to pay attention to the prompting. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
I can’t tell you how many times I have been approached with this same situation. Some people are unsure what they will do with the money etc…I always like to think of it like I just have to be obedient to God and not concern myself with what they will spend the money on. Such a great post! Thanks for sharing!
Khrystal, So lovely to know I am not alone. Yes, obedience to God is what matters most. After all, He knows what the genuine need is, and sometimes it has nothing to do with what we give. It may even be for our good. Blessings, Maree
I had not heard of the Jesus stocking idea. I’m going to look into that right now!
I hope you can find it in stock. Even though my children are grown and gone, it is a sweet reminder for me.
That simple Jesus stocking, hung by the fire, in all its beauty, says it all, Maree. This reminds us of Who this whole season is about.
Beautiful.
Linda, I couldn’t agree with you more. The Jesus stocking does remind me what the season is about. I think I need to put one in my car and office too. I can’t get so distracted with the season. Blessings, Maree
Convicting! Love the Christmas stocking for Jesus and filling them with good deeds! That is a great idea.
Thank you! I need to get busy filling it with good deeds. Maree
What a wonderful addition to Literacy Musing Mondays! I haven’t been the most loving lately.
Tami, Tis the season! Holidays bring so much extra stress it is difficult to be loving all of the time. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I love Literacy Musing Mondays.
Great post and reminder for us all! Thanks for sharing your story! Very encouraging! 🙂
I am so glad you stopped by and were encouraged. Thank you. Maree
Oh how this post seems like it was made for me…and the answer is YES. Yes, I will allow God to love others through me, because after all, it’s the greatest job we could do here on earth. To actually have a hand in helping make heaven more full of God’s children. I loved this so much, I read it nice a slow and absorbed it all. Thank you.
Jen, I love your comment it made me smile with your YES to God. You are so right it is the greatest job we could ever do on earth to allow God to love others through us. I feel so honored you read my post twice. Merry Christmas to you, Maree
I can get frustrated when I’m hungry and plans change too. But you did well to go the extra mile by getting extra food for the gentleman. We never know who God will put in our path not only for their sake, but also for ours. Thanks for sharing this story!
Lisa, So true we never do know who God will put in our path. I always wonder how many he already put and I missed them. Glad you liked my post. Maree
Maree, I LOVE this post. God has consistently been speaking to me today about love being a choice. We can choose to love others, even when don’t feel like it. When we make that choice, in those difficult moments, I believe we are planting eternal seeds that will produce fruit, even if we don’t get to witness it. I’ll be featuring your post this week on Salt & Light! (By the way….i LOVE LOVE LOVE your site!!! It looks amazing!)
Alisa, I am so excited to be featured on your beautiful website. Thank you! Yes, I agree love is a choice. I also love what you said about planting eternal seeds even when we don’t witness them. Thank you for visiting, you made my day with your sweet comment. Blessings, Maree
This is rich and I shared on social media. We are neighbors at Tea and Word today!
Thank you!!! I am so glad you like it.
We have all been there Maree. I can’t imagine being homeless. I love the Mother Teresa quote and the stocking. Reminds me of the Bishop’s Wife, Cary Grant 1947. Maybe you recall discussing with me the word lost and the definitions, I’m doing word studies in January. Lost is one of them. Some people will understand being saved and getting a little ” lost along the way “, without losing your salvation. His mercies are new every morning, how true.
I am looking forward to your words studies in January. I agree we can get lost without losing our salvation. One of my favorite verses is about his mercies being new every morning. Merry Christmas to you. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
Wow, your beautiful honesty has challenged me. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. Proverbs 19:17
Alyson, Thank you for stopping by. I love the verse you mentioned. Proverbs 19:17 New International Version (NIV)
17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.
Merry Christmas
Maree
What a beautiful story, Maree. I’ve had those “Not me. Not Today.” moments too. Thank you for reminding us that God can use even a small gesture, a small step out of our way, to bless someone and show them a bit of Jesus.
Betsy, Thank you! I am so glad to know I am not the only one. Yes, a bit of Jesus is sometimes just the right amount. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
Oh my. I loved this very much. Thanks for your humility. And by the way, I love the Jesus stocking. Where did you get it?
Hi Amy, I couldn’t find the exact one, but I found one close to it. I may even like it better. If you click here, you will see it on my page. Just click the picture and it will take you to Amazon where you can buy it. I am so glad you liked the post. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
It’s so easy to give in to tiredness and be selfish. Your story encourages me to do more.
Debbie, I am so glad my story encourages you. I hope you are all settled into your new home. Maree
Thank you for sharing this story! People do need to be reminded that they are seen and matter. So sad at how often I overlook this for many of the reasons you mentioned (tired, hungry, stressed, etc.) Thanks for the challenge to love with His love!
You bet! It is so easy to rush right by. I am guilty one too many times. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
A good challenge and reminder!
Emily – THank you! Maree
We are to minister to those God gives us – and that day, he gave you a homeless person to minister to. What a heart-felt reminder to be vigilant in loving his children.
https://bluecottonmemory.wordpress.com/2017/11/21/which-sheep-are-mine-to-feed/
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment as well as the link to your post. It was fun to read another perspective on the sheep. Yes, we are called to feed the sheep God puts before us. Hope you have a great weekend. Maree
My heart goes out to the homeless. God’s love shines through even the little actions. Praying for that man now.
Kelly, What an excellent idea to pray for him. Thank you! I will join you in those prayers. Blessings, Maree
Beautiful quote by Mother Theresa. I have those days when I feel like I just need a pass, too. I guess it’s a human condition. Love your example of being a living example of the Gospel to that young man that day. May the Lord continue to use that day as a tool for healing and purpose in this gentleman’s life. — Hope you and your family are having a wonderful advent season, Maree. 🙂 ((hug))
Brenda, I think you are right it is our “human condition.” I think I learned and gained more from the young man than what I gave. Blessings to you during the Advent season and beyond. Maree
Thanks for letting God meet you and empower you to rise to the occasion in that excruciatingly hard test. It would have been so easy for you to just give yourself a pass.
Yes, it would have. I have to admit I have in the past. Hope you have a remarkable day. Maree
How many times have we walked right past people who just needed to know that they are ‘seen and matter.’ What a great reminder that we don’t have to solve all the problems, but we can do something. A good reminder for all of us during this Christmas season. All of us can do something!
Karen, Glad you stopped by and added to the conversation.Yes, we don’t have to solve all problems. That thought pattern has kept me away from doing the little important things. Maree
I so related to your story. It is easier to talk about loving others like God wants us to, than doing it when it is inconvenient and we are tired and crabby. Something similar happened to me at a gas station a few days ago. And you are right. These people so need to be seen and heard that they matter. I like your idea of doing love deeds for others. What a great Christmas idea.
Theresa,
I am so glad you stopped by and liked my Christmas idea. Holidays are not the easiest over here, so I always think I have a pass but God wouldn’t pass us. Merry Christmas! Maree