21st Time

A couple of weeks ago, I was driving to Wal-Mart and on the corner of the Wal Mart property, a woman stood with a sign that said "Family of 4 Needs Help." I kept driving and a little further down the way, a man stood with the exact same sign. I thought about how sad that is, but kept driving. Well, today David and I ran a slew of errands that really ended up being a bust, but God had other plans for our dead-end errands. As we drove to Wal-MArt, the same man I had seen weeks ago stood there in the shade with his sign. I felt God's Spirit tell me that I needed to help this man, that by feeding him, I feeding HIM. David and I went across the street to Publix, used the money I had gotten from my Wal-Mart return, and got this man a gift card. I understand that sometimes people are just trying to scam others, but in my heart, I thought about how Jesus told us that by feeding and clothing the least, we are feeding and clothing Him- not to mention it is disgustingly hot out, so who would stand out there out of mal-intent? Well, we drove back over to that corner and handed him the gift card. He smiled and told us how grateful he was asked us to pray for him and his family. David said that as we drove away that the manw as clutching the card to his heart- if that is not a Jesus moment, I don't know what is.

So many times, I have walked past people in need- some probably really did need help, others maybe not. But, the point is, it is easy to write these people out, but the challenge becomes recognizing the need for grace. As Christians, we need to be Jesus with skin on and be open to the Spirit's moving. I hope the Spirit moves like that again- even of it means handing a family a bunch of bananas and a loaf of bread from my grocery bags. David and I have never been in need and my heart goes out to this man and his family. May God's grace be on him and his family!

Today's experience reminded me of a song by Monk and Neagle called "21st Time". Here's an excerpt:

"He may be a drifter, he’s grown old and gray

But what if he’s Jesus and I walk away?
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

Drifter or stranger, father or son
I’ll look for Jesus in every one
’cause I am the body and drink of the wine
and I’m thankful there’s more than the twenty-first time"

Praise God for "22nd" chances=)!!!

In His Mercy.