Last night at church I walked into the sanctuary and a homeless man was sitting in the back row. He was waiting for some help. I knew he was there but didn't pay attention and was getting ready to walk right past him when God brought to my mind the lesson of the day, reaching out.
I went over and said hello and offered to get him a bottle of water. He didn't need one, as someone had already offered him one, but he told me what he was doing there. I listened and smiled. Now, I could have done better. I could have spoken to him longer, really reached into his soul. But I am praising God for stirring my heart and leading me to say hi.
Today I want to challenge you. We all heard the stories, not just blog stories, but we all know we should reach out. Now, let's live it out! Today and tomorrow I challenge you to find someone you do not know and reach out. Maybe you can only offer a smile and kind word. But if you can do more, do it! Buy someone a cup of coffee, offer to help someone with something. Reach out to this hurting world. Then come back and tell us about what happened. You can email me or comment here. But I want to hear how God's people are reaching out. Are you up for the challenge?
Sweet Blessings~
I know I posted a video yesterday, but this one is on the same topic so I thought I would include it. If you have time to watch it will bless you.
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Great reminder. I don't want to be wrapped up in my own little world. But too often, I am. I don't see the hurting around me. I want God to change my heart.
ReplyDeleteI read one of your comments on Traci's blog and liked it so linked over.
ReplyDeleteI just read a blog post two days ago about ways to minister to the homeless. I thought it was really good. (If you'd like to read it let me know and I'll give you the link to it).
The homeless are all around us. One of the churches my daughter attends some (in Little Rock) has a ministry to the homeless that she is involved in, and has gotten us to donate to. What a great cause!
Thanks for your encouragement to be mindful of those around us.
Warren
Family Fountain
Warren, thank you for stopping by Sweet Blessings! Yes, if you don't mind, I would love that link. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeletehttp://alyanddust.blogspot.com/2011/02/panhandlers.html
ReplyDeleteGreat message... I want to take notice of those in need and spread the love of Jesus! Love that song... Kelli and I get to go see him again next month, can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post. It is a shame we have to be reminded of things like this. We get so caught up in our own world that we forget about other people around us that really need us. God would be so pleased if we would help the hurting and there are so many around us. Thanks for a great post and the reminder. Blessings to you.
ReplyDelete@Warren, thank you for the link! I'm anxious to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI saw him too, I felt like I should go say hi but I was afraid. Afraid of the unknown. I don't want to be afraid anymore, I want to live out loud for Jesus. The world needs Him and they need to see Him through us.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Jenifer, and Bless you for listening to His Message and reaching out to that man. If everyone did the same, the world would be a much different place than it is.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day Dear Lady!
Love that challenge. I saw a guy I assumed was homeless yesterday as I was going into the sub shop. He'd already walked past when I got out of the car. But when I came back out I thought that I should let him go in and order a sub and I'd pay for it. He was gone when I came out. No where to be seen. I should've acted on it when I first saw him and had the thought!
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for the courage when the next opportunity to arises to take it!
Powerful post! Thank you for encouraging us to focus on others and to live beyond ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThere is a clear message here for me. It just so happens that I've been writing a little about helping people as a result of the lesson in the Mind Alchemy course I've been doing.
ReplyDeleteReaching out to homeless people is a real blessing. For the second time this evening I've been reminded of a significant life event that led me to faith. Simply being approach by a guy on the train home from work some 10 years ago. I had nothing to give him (worldly) but he was distressed and kept coming back to me. I listened to him. He was the first person I ever in my life told that God loved him. This was just after I became a Christian. I never saw him again and I sometimes wonder if he was an angel.
Thanks for stopping by Marty! I do believe we have angels among us. We should always be wiilling to step out and be kind to others because we might be entertaining angels.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenifer! Thanks for checking out my post about the panhandlers. I think it takes (at least for me) not just a day by day, but a minute by minute re-focus to see others and not just myself. The other day I was in the car, and my 7 year old daughter started praying out loud in the car for all of the homeless people she saw...it made my heart smile. I told her that praying for them may be the BEST thing we can do for them. =)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading "Woman to woman"!