It is Saturday January 3, 2010 and we delivered baggies, sweaters, mens dress shirts
water, coffee, and soda to the homeless on the streets of Phoenix.
It was a quiet day. People loved the coffee I brought in a carafe. That was everyone’s
favorite, outside of soda. These are things we take for granted but the homeless don’t get
very often.
Something I did was ask them if they wanted sugar or sweetner in their coffee that already
had cream in it. Surprisingly, they loved the fact that I asked them their preference.
Then when I finished putting sugar in their coffee, I would stir it for them, as I was
sitting in the car doing this for them. I told them Jesus came to serve and that is
what I am doing. Their faces lit up.
We drove over to Margaret Park and gave baggies and drinks to homeless laying on the
grass. We met a family of six and what a delight this was. A mom with six kids, so I asked
her would you like some socks and hygiene products, she was reluctant to answer. The funny
thing about this was, when I had gone in the restroom earlier and was washing my hands, she
had asked me if I wanted hand sanitizer that she had. Later this same lady I am asking
if she wanted socks etc. She didnt say but one of her daughters shook her head yes.
Earl and I said we would be right back that we would go to the car and get the stuff.
But close on our heels was pitter patter of little feet. Here they come all six girls
following us. Very cute indeed. So we passed out seven baggies, a litre of root beer which
the girls quickly grabbed and off they went.
Each event doesn’t seem like that big a deal. But it is, it does impact and bring hope
and a little joy in a very difficult life for the homeless. Plus, they can’t understand
why we take our money and time and do this. So spreading God’s love in this way does make
a difference.
*** Founder’s note: You hear on TV do an act of kindness. The Bible is all about acts of kindness
and all about loving your neighbor. Who is your neighbor? Anyone who you come in contact with
who needs help. Acts of Kindness is not a new buzz word. It was a way of life for those
who believe in the Bible and what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.
*** It strikes me as funny that we have to be told and be intentional in our actions, to
do acts of kindness every once in awhile. We have to be told to care for the hurting,
feed the poor, help the helpless. In all of our knowledge, we have become cold, numb,
bitter, selfish, callus, so every so often if someone reminds us to be loving or caring
we say ok I can do this once a year or so.
*** Coming home after our delivery to the homeless that day, I felt a little disallusioned.
I didn’t lead anyone to Christ, that was my goal, I had the script ready. But later that
day, the Holy Spirit reminded me that it is up to God. I planted the seed. God will make it
grow. It is not my job to save anybody, just to obey the task God gives me.
I may be number one in planting, and that person will not accept Christ until the forty fourth
person invites them to believe and trust in Christ for their life now and eternally.
