A deep feeling burned in my heart.
I knew what to do, but I didn’t know where to start.
I couldn’t keep questioning, my spirit just knew.
God asked me to be homeless for a day.
But I didn’t want to.
What would I do? What would I say?
Tears filled my eyes as I walked all alone, searching for my way.
I asked Him, where do I sit? What do I say? Do I talk? Or do I just pray?
I sat. I smiled. I hugged. I talked. But mostly just prayed alone as I walked.
I felt him guide me to a familiar place.
That’s when I laid eyes on this poor man’s sweet face.
I knew it was him. That’s where I was to stay.
And so I sat for hours that day.
I took no watch, no money, no food.
I did have my water, I hope that wasn’t rude.
I sat on the ground, this poor man by me.
I never imagined the things I would see.
The people laughed. Stopped. And stared.
No one said hello, or gave him money…no one seemed to care.
I saw their looks of confusion and disgust.
I felt as though my heart may bust.
I heard the snickers, the whispers, the laughing.
The cameras clicking, and people even gasping.
My heart was empty, and so was his cup.
We had no choice, but to look up.
I asked the man “Can I pray for you sir?”
He timidly nodded, “Why not, sure?”
Piercing my heart with their judgmental stares, I just hoped God would answer my prayers
I cried out to God. ” Help this man! Meet his needs!”
“Heal his sores! Take his pain! Hurry!” “God, please.”
“Show us you’re faithful. Willing. And able.”
Bring this sweet man to your heavenly table.
You place a robe around him. You call him son.
You say you will forgive him for all that he has done.
Give this man a fresh start, a clean slate.
Bless him Lord, Bless him. Please fill his plate.
Hundreds of people, faces passing by.
Probably curious, and just asking Why?
Why would a white girl sit with a beggar?
Because Jesus would. And to Him he’s His treasure.
Jesus sat with people. He loved them where they were.
Did I look silly? Absolutely! Sure!
But that doesn’t matter, it wasn’t for me.
It was to make him feel special. Make him feel seen.
I wanted him to know I see you sitting there.
I’m not going to walk by you and just simply stare.
I am sorry I’ve done it so many times before.
To all of the homeless, whom I usually ignore.
I want you to know, my heart beats for you.
And my sweet Jesus…His heart does too.
I felt that day deep in my core.
Maybe what it feels to truly be poor.
To see what they see, to feel what they feel.
For me it was just one day, but to him is was real.
He had no money, no food, no bed, no hope.
He had nothing. No toothbrush. No soap.
After hours of sitting, praying and thinking…
He asked me to leave. He said “This isn’t working.”
“I’m working mam, and people don’t care, all they see is you sitting there.“
I felt stupid deep in my soul.
Why was I even there? Now I didn’t know.
Was it God? Testing me to obey?
Just to see if I’d go? To see what I’d say?
Was it for myself? My foolish pride?
My emotions were spiraling out of control deep inside.
I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream.
I wished I was sleeping, and it was all a dream.
But it wasn’t. BUT Very true. Very real.
Here’s what I’ve concluded. Here’s the truth. Here’s the deal.
Jesus loves us. He loves YOU. He loves ME.
BUT he also loves the poor and the needy you see…
He didn’t give us abundance so we could be greedy.
He tells us to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and bless the needy.
The orphans. The widows.. The poor people too.
They are all human. Like ME. And like YOU.
They have feelings, hearts, and dreams.
But we don’t really care…Or at least so it seems.
We claim to love God BUT we don’t love our brother…
We don’t give him food, money, or shelter.
How can we claim to love God but not his people?
Aren’t we His Church?
Or just a building with a steeple?
Money isn’t most important…It’s your TIME.
I had nothing to give that man…not even a dime.
But I did however; take time from my day.
To SIT with him. TALK to him. CONSOLE him. And PRAY.
I loved him where he was, sitting on the ground.
Maybe he heard nothing. Not even a sound.
BUT MAYBE he felt LOVED. SEEN. And HEARD.
Or MAYBE he thought…This is absurd.
What ever the reason, I may never know.
I just knew in my spirit, I heard God say GO.
My heart broke that day, for this man.
It made me question God. HIS purpose. HIS plan.
But the reasons aren’t for US to see.
We need to sit with people. WHERE EVER they may be.
In their sorrow. In their joy. In their mess, and even distress.
Remember the poor, the homeless man too.
They’re just like ME. They’re just like YOU.
Jesus made them too, for a purpose.
But what we SEE is just the surface.
Give your TIME. Show them you care.
Shake their hand. Pray for them. Don’t walk by and stare.
Maybe it’s a test from above.
To see if you care, if you’ll show them some love.
Don’t go on with your day to day,
and try to forget what you see in their face.
If you see them, stop. And smile.
They’ve probabaly been sitting there for quite a while.
Needing a friend, someone to talk to.
Maybe YOU could?
You have no reason not to.
Maybe they’re waiting for a dollar, food, or a touch?
Or for someone to show that they care very much?
So when you see them sitting there.
Don’t laugh. Walk by. Point. Or Stare.
They have hearts and feelings too.
They’re just like ME. They’re just like YOU.
YES. God asked me to be homeless, to get a look deep inside.
Maybe to grow me and take out my pride.
I’m no better than they seem to be.
They’re just like YOU. They’re just like ME.
This is a video about a homeless man who just wants a friend. Watch how he’s treated…because he’s “homeless.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3277BLKDqpE
