This was a post that I had decided not to post a couple of weeks ago, but I have since decided that maybe I should post it in light of some of the reactions from Don’t give to the poor?
I was driving home from work yesterday and I saw a man begging on the off ramp by my house. As I drove past I had this strong compulsion to go take him out to lunch and talk to the guy. This was about the last thing in the world that I WANTED to do.
But, I have been a Christian long enough to know that when I “feel” this way, it usually means that God wants me to do it. So, I ignored it. I drove all the way home and sat in my car and debated with myself about whether or not I am “supposed” to do this.
I finally decided that if I am going to make a mistake, it might as well be by doing a nice thing rather than the alternative.
Once I got back to the off ramp, conveniently he was walking to his car parked on the outer road (yes, he owned a car, albeit a junker) so I pulled up next to him and talked to him for about 15 minutes (he said he was too busy to go to lunch with me, go figure) about his situation and what was going on in his life. It turns out he was living off the government sponsored disability program and trying to get money to pay his rent and his daughter’s house payment.
I tried to encourage him as best I could and convince him that he had the power to improve his situation, but that it wouldn’t happen automatically. It seemed to me that he wanted to believe me, but for some reason he couldn’t. He seemed to be locked into the mentality that he was stuck; almost to the point that he preferred using that as an excuse. I prayed with him, gave him the few dollars I had, and drove home.
I know that I was suppose to talk to this guy, and I did my very best to encourage him, but it really saddened me to see him truly BELIEVE that he was stuck. I don’t know what happened in his past, or what people had told him all of his life that caused him to believe those lies, but it really drilled into my head the fact that people need to be encouraged.
I can recall specific moments in my life when a simple encouraging word from someone helped me immensely. I can remember bad days that were caused by things that someone said, and I can remember great days that were fueled by a kind word or a complement. I don’t ever want to discount the power of such a simple act.
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Bless you for trying. Even though it seems like it didn’t turn out the way you wanted, you probably made some type of positive impact if only on a small scale.
If more people made such attempts, the world would definitely be in a better place.
Good job for doing what God wanted you to do. It is interesting how hard your heart starts pounding when God asks you to do something. Glad you followed through.
@Brian
I am becoming more and more convinced that it really isn’t about us and what we want to do, but about obeying God. I really believe that our greatest breakthroughs in life come as a result of consistently doing the right thing, whether we feel like it or not.
@Rose
My heart WAS pounding, like I said I really didn’t want to do it, I have a pretty thick skull sometimes that God has to work through
My pastor had this saying that stays with me whenever I wonder about what I’m doing- he said something to the effect of “Love is not easy- if it were, everyone would be able to do it.” I remember this & know that the right thing to always do is to put the love out there first- its the most giving anyone can do.
Who is to say a simple act won’t change someone’s heart? You never know- it might be your lot in life to turn it around for someone in need. ANd I always feel like circumstances like this give me the opportunity to share what God’s love really is.
@DivaJean
I agree, God is at work, whether we see or realize it or not… I have heard of many situations where people stepped out in obedience to God, and received no visual affirmation that they were effective, but years later they see the tremendous fruit of their obedience. God is no dummy, when he wants us to do something, it is for a REASON.
Nice post and nice deed! God bless..