Two years ago I had the opportunity to go to a choral conference in L.A. There were locations throughout the city where we could attend concerts and workshops for choral conductors. As I was walking from one venue to another, I was approached on the street by a man who was homeless. He asked me if I would buy him a meal. I am normally hesitant to give money directly, so buying food seemed like a good idea. While we were walking towards Burger King, we had a conversation. I asked his name. “Dallas”, he said. “Here we call each other by where we are from.” We talked some more and he showed me a recent bite would he got from a fight. We made it to Burger King and he told me he couldn’t go in because he got kicked out last time and they wouldn’t let him in anymore. So I went in, bought him some food and brought it out to him. He thanked me, asked me for some money for soap, and walked out of my life. I think about Dallas from time to time. What he’d doing now, if he’s still alive. I would like to think I had an impact on his life. but I have no way of telling. I think this is the hardest form of ministry: doing good and helping others and never seeing or knowing the fruits of your labor. Serving only to serve. I know we’ll have this chance on the race, are we ready? Peace.
