Buy Someone a Meal, Receive So Much More

The following blog post, provided to us by Sara Stoops, needs no introduction. Just read it...I've added clarifications in parenthesis.

One of the discussion questions in session one of our new study (Start Becoming a Good Samaritan) stuck in my head - #4 p. 16. Jim Wallis - "It's the places where you're not supposed to be that you'll learn the most, and the people you were never supposed to meet that you really encounter Jesus in a new way." I kept thinking - I go to work, church, stores friends houses, etc - but when am I ever where I'm not supposed to be.

Last Tuesday, I was shopping for rain boots at a place I never go. On my way out of the store I heard a voice call out "Buy me a bowl of soup in here". In the time it took me to walk to my car , the voice echoed once more to someone else and I was at an angle that I could see the scene better. In front of a little restaurant sat a homeless man asking for food. It was the Holy Spirit that moved my hand to shut the car door and move my body toward him to say - let's get you some food. Once inside I realized why would I buy him soup when he needed a meal. Standing in line he introduced himself and offered a handshake. I ordered the food at the counter, and then realized that I couldn't leave him in a restaurant by himself. So we found a table and started to chat over our Pepsi.

He was a lovely man, and in the hour we sat there we talked about things like rock 'n roll, football, Jesus, his family, my family, growing up in Nome, drinking, hopes for the future and how he'd take his leftovers to share with his homeless friends. I was very moved when he asked if his Pepsi was refillable because if it wasn't he'd drink water since he honored his mother and would not steal, even a drink. When he was finished we hugged and offered each other God's blessing. Back in my car I saw him cross the street with his to-go box in hand, and I could still smell the alcohol. It was such a small act, but perhaps a START >.

I hesitate to say that it was life-changing, but it was very eye-opening and special. I've thought about him many times since and prayed for him.