My husband and I once visited Washington, DC. We toured all the sites, walked miles daily, braved the Metro, hunted down local restaurants, and dined at a French bakery on the last day of our vacation.
While I savored my mouth-watering pastry, I noticed a homeless man outside, sleeping on a vent, trying to keep warm. His blanket was pulled over his head, but his feet stuck out. That’s when I noticed the thread-bare socks. I should buy that man some socks, I thought.
Just that morning, I had read Matthew 25:43. But after discussing my plan with my husband, we decided that the drugstore was in the opposite direction of the hotel and church we were visiting. So, we walked past the man with holey socks. I showered at the hotel, put on my near-new socks, and attended a heated church with cushioned seats.
The preacher talked about looking the homeless in the eye because they, too, want to be seen. I was convicted and decided to return to the man, look him in the eye, and give him some socks. But when we walked by the French bakery, he was gone. I still hadn’t bought any socks.
My heart shrunk a bit that day. I’d distinctly heard God’s voice twice but hadn’t obeyed His command.
In Matthew 25, Jesus referred to sheep and goats. He cast aside the goats because of their unbelief, but He gathered the sheep for eternal life. Helping or not helping people experiencing poverty is not a salvation issue, but Jesus outlined specific directives for the believer—clothing the poor as one of them.
When I returned home from our trip, an email from the Nashville Rescue Mission asked me to donate to their homeless shelter. My gracious Father gave me a third chance, and I took it.
Find a way you can help the less fortunate. Then do it.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Leroy_Skalstad.)
Sally Cressman and her husband enjoy an easy rhythm in their empty nest. She’d love to connect with you on Instagram at @sacressman, Facebook, or her blog at www.sallycressman.com.