This weekend as I was traveling to Salem for a fundraiser my sister was hosting, I was driving down I-5 and I was ready to be at my moms and done driving for the day. However, for whatever reason I had to go the bathroom for like the millionth time that trip (I usually only stop like once on the trip down from La Grande). As I was driving down I-5 getting near the rest stop all I could think of was God, why again. I’m less than an hour from my destination and yet I’m having to stop again.
Frustrated at having to stop, I jump out of my car at the rest stop, look annoying at the man holding the sign “disabled vet needs help” and ran to the bathroom. The entire time I was in the bathroom I couldn’t help but wonder and contemplate over whether the “disabled vet” was in fact a vet or just some bum who was trying to get money out of people.
I walk out to my car and as I’m getting in I can hear God saying, “go give him some money,” me being me was like no I only have enough for a Dutch bros coffee and I don’t want to spend it on someone who is just going to use it for alcohol. But then I felt like I could hear God saying, “Just give him the money.” So I pulled out the last few bucks out of my wallet, walked up to him and said, “It’s not much, but I hope it helps” and walked back to my car. Grumbling to myself I walk back to my car thinking there goes my coffee for tonight.
As I was pulling out of the rest area and thinking that last hour down to Salem, I suddenly felt very guilty. Who am I to judge him? How do I know he wasn’t really a disabled vet in need? Why do I just assume the worst? Then I got to talking to God and told him thank-you. Thank you for having me stop there for yet another bathroom break. I didn’t know it before I stopped but I realized God was teaching me about ministering to the people back home.
I don’t know about you guys, but I pass people holding signs all the time asking for gas, money, help, etc… I don’t think twice about, as I drive past them most of the time. Usually thinking, great there begging again, or why can’t that person get a real job, or they’re just wanting the money for drugs and alcohol, etc…truth is I don’t know their stories. I don’t know their names. They’re people just like you and me, and God loves them just like he loves me.
It’s true I may not be able to stop and give a couple bucks to everyone I pass; but I can smile at them, I can stop and ask how their day is, I can say a little prayer for them. Stopping and giving the last few dollars I had on me to that disabled vet at the rest area on I-5 reminded me that everyone just wants to be reminded that someone loves them, that someone cares. No I may not have gotten that disabled vet’s name, and I may not have gotten his story, but I did show him that there are people who still care, and maybe by showing him that it gives him hope that there are people who do care and people who do love others out there.
God calls us to show him to the world, to share his story. We don’t have to go thousands of miles away from home to do it. Yes going on the WR will take us to other countries where we can show God’s love, but if we can do it to complete strangers across the globe, why can’t we do it in our own home towns, on our blocks, in our own backyards. Sometimes all it takes is a smile, and if nothing else you can pray for them as you pass them.
I challenge each of us to look in our own communities to see how we can show God’s love to someone. To show that we care. Get out of your car and walk up to the man on the corner and say hi, give them a smile as you pass them by; say a little prayer. Pick up the trash in front of your neighbor’s house, shovel the snow for the elderly man down the street. Whatever you choose to do though, do it was God as the center of it all, and just remember God loves them all just as he loves you.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:25 ESV)
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Update:
The East Salem SDA church vespers that my sister hosted was fantastic. With a small crowd of 30is people, we had a great night worshiping and listing to great musical talents. We raised a little over $600 and I thank you all for coming and donating.
Above: Jo (My Sis) Hosting the East SDA Vespers Fundraiser
That being said, I am still in need of about $3200 before December 18th. My next fundraiser will begin tomorrow with my Adopt-A-Day fundraiser. Look for details in my blog tomorrow or later this week.
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