From the abstract mind of JD So when I was a kid Rod Serlings the Twilight Zone was one of the most surreal things I ever saw. That is till my own mind began to develop. Many say the whole of the body is all connected every piece to the other, not just one to another, by sinew. And perhaps that is metaphorically true for a Christian life, as well. Not so many years past I was using the internet wifi at the local McDonalds. It was one of those extra cold, everything iced over Midwest nights. I ate my burger and fries then sipped my Dr Pepper while surfing the Net. It was a non smoking environment, so many would venture into the bitter cold to satisfy their vice that held them captive. But one I took particular notice of. It was a fairly elderly and weather worn lady. And that in itself not so different then many. But when she went out all she had was a blanket to wrap in. And on her feet was only a pair of those fuzzy ladies house slippers with no back to it. Folks it was bugger cold outside. She came in and the Lord said go talk to her. So I found out she had got here by bus and had no family here. She was indeed homeless and what she wore is all her assets. Just before coming back from Utah I had found a beautiful coat at TJ Max. I loved it..I mean this was the coat of coats folks. And the Lord said, you have lots of coats. I said, yah I know Lord, but right now this is my favorite one. The Lord said, she has a blanket. So I took off my coat and handed it to her. Then I noticed her shoes and I said, Lord I just got these awesome Sketchers at the Vegas outlet store. I love them. He said, she is wearing house shoes and it is freezing outside...I should have said, yeah but you can change that...not really...so I took my shoes off..and as she began to put them on the Lord said, you have lots of socks.......that lady looked good as she went out for her next smoke. And I walked back to my care without a coat and barefoot...but so full of joy. And the Lord was right on all points, as always. As I was drinking coffee still after finishing my Bible read this morning I flip on the TV to catch the news...wait that was yesterday. Anyway, Jeff Corwin was tagging cameras on sharks to better study them. Today in church the pastor was talking about God getting alone with Jacob to empower him to be what God meant him to be. And how when he was first told by God to go back to his family, that he in fear of his brother Esau, brought up the rear, but after his God encounter and leaving it as Israel, instead of Jacob, he then set out in front as the lead. I know it sounds disjointed thus far...but if you are still reading you are hooked and committed now..right. We all can say we are Christians and many get away with it, without really living it. Sort of like the guy in the movie, Catch Me If You Can. Not really who we proclaim to be. So, what if when I gave that homeless lady my coat and shoes, that on them were micro chipped audio video equipment that would telecast her life on church screens everywhere when she encountered Christians during her lifes journey. So we could see if they were really treating her like they should as professed Christians. What would it look like do you think? Would it make you proud to be a part of the crowd she encountered, you think? I am sure many Christians would say I am nuts giving her my coat and shoes and socks..why did I not go home and get a pair and a coat I liked not so much? She may have not been there when I returned. YOU bloom where planted. You make a difference where you are, at the time it is necessary..not a time of convenient for you...there is seldom a true confluence of the two. You master the time management to the present need or the actions are often futile. I never sat later dreaming of how cool I would look if I kept that coat. I doubt I look cool if I had an Armany anyway. And I remember very vividly, and before I say what, I will preface it with, I am very much a tenderfoot, I can not walk over stones or peddles with out looking like the cowboy getting his feet shot at..dance cowboy dance...but as I walked to my car on the very frigid iced over night, my feet were not cold at all. And furthermore I am a germaphobe and normally would have thought of all the folks who have spit on the very ground I now walked on. Folks if we step out to do his work, he covers the bases, and gets us home safe..with God it is always a grand slam home run, even if others think you are nuts. And I am sure some who read this now think I am. Be that as it may, I know one older lady where ever she is does not. Before I had left management came out and thanked me personally saying they had never seen such a kind act. Truth is, I had never done one, as such..but know now I should never hesitate to do so again. I hope. When we walk past the poor and the needy and never give, and I know we can not always, but if we never, then how deep is our faith, and our belief we will face Jesus one day. And I believe it is so bad, that we can even read such a thing as this and say just how neat it is, how awe inspiring it is, and yet, life as usual.. I am the Christian of the homogenized church...we are incognito Christians...the church of whats happening now the cool Christians.......The kind that when one died during morning service the EMTs hauled out half the church before finding the right one...... I hope that is not your church...and it starts with you..yes you. I am not saying give away all you own, but I pretty much have. It really does not hurt. I pretty much did as Jesus told the rich man, I either gave very nice stuff both to my kids and poor people, or had a friend sale them in a yard sell and gave the money to the church. And this is the first I am really telling of it. But not for any accolades, I need none. Its been a few years now, and I still sleep well, and though I am not close to a good cook by any means, I eat well, I have a nice place to live...as the Bealtes said, live goes on....but it is not Oh blah dee Oh blah dah..I enjoy my life. But how did that lady view the stuff. Truly I may never know. I know she never showed much expression. She was getting what I thought was the best of my stuff.....good grief..not one heart felt thank you really....and I think that is because, if their had been a micro chip audio video device on her blanket or slippers we would have seen all the harsh treatment she received. She probably lived totally void of respect, love and honor. A few nights later I was back and she was looking sharp in that coat..and styling in my Sketchers..but I went about my surfing....next thing I know she is standing there. Sir, she says, do you have enough for a cup of coffee. Well, I usually used my debit card..but I just handed her all my changes, not even looking. I noticed she sat in the next both counting it. Then she stood by me again. You sure you dont have another nickle. I chuckled to myself and wished I had. But I told her, I bet they will give you the coffee anyway and they did. Some of the nice things that happened for this woman we would complain about. That very night I gave her my coat, the manager told me, the police took her to jail just so she would have a warm place to sleep. God bless those JPD officers. There are very tangible blessing we all miss daily because for whatever reason we fail to reach out and touch another life where it matters.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 23:25:03 +0000
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