Okay, this is directed to be about the people on the streets. Well, the people who stand and hold signs for a ride, or for money, or food, or anything. This is for the people who come into to churches maybe looking for money, or come into other places asking or looking maybe like they really need something.
Why do we have so many thoughts already about these people? We just see them with our EYES, and BOOM, all the thoughts come pouring in…“There’s another begger.” “There’s another one of those people just wanting something from people.” “He’s got a dog, he must not be very needy.” “He’s got a bunch of stuff buy him, he must not need much.” “Oh, he has a Mcdonalds bag, he must not be very hungry.” WHY.WHY.WHY.WHY.WHY do we think this way?? Last night, we had a man come in, and he’s been there before, asked for money and never been back until last night. He was talking to our pastor, but I have no idea what the conversation was. Today, my grandma said something that really struck me. She said, and I’m not quoting exactly, but she had a very kind of hateful tone, “Yeah, he’s been there before and asked for money and hasn’t been back till now. He’s probably just wanting gas money or something.” Then, my cousin said he didn’t have a car, he’s walking everywhere. This is where is struck me big time, Grandma replied, “Yeah, he probably just said that and had it parked somewhere else. Probably like those people who hold those signs all the time.” Woah. I admit, my grandma is getting a little older and well, she doesn’t think what come out of her mouth. It just…I don’t know. I said..well you never know what goes on in a persons life.
Number 1- So that person on the street has a dog, big stinkin’ deal..there is a big chance he found it somewhere? Maybe he had it before his situation arose.
Number 2-So he has a bunch of bags by him. Most likely, he wanted to pack what he could. Maybe he had a little money before, maybe he’s done some jobs, so what if he has some stuff with him, that doesn’t make him able to afford everything in life, that he needs.
Number 3- Same with the food bag, Once again, What if someone gave him that money? Hello?
Number 4- The whole car thing parked somewhere else—-The truth is we don’t know, but my best bet is that is NOT the case.
The Big Number 5- Guess what? That person that you have all those thoughts about, that person that is waving a sign saying he needs food or he needs a ride, or he needs money, THEY ARE A HUMAN BEING JUST LIKE YOU AND ME. No, we have NO idea what goes on in their life. NO IDEA. True, they may be total con artists. They may just seek to get money for free. So what? They may not NEED that money. So what? If that is the case, well that will come back to them. But, the big thing is most likely that is not the case at all. So many things happen in people’s lives where they can’t afford the necessities They just can’t. It’s not possible for them. Imagine yourself in their shoes. No, you know nothing about what they’ve gone through, but imagine you’re standing on a corner, hungry, lonely, tired…you just need someone to be there. You need someone to make that gesture that they care. Believe it or not, people don’t have a lot of the things we take for granted everyday. They need you. They need you to just reach out. Give a dollar, it doesn’t even matter what you’re thoughts about them are. Get that out of your head and help someone. What would Jesus do? What would Jesus really do? Think about that.
So, I just really had to get that out. I don’t understand people’s attitudes anymore. We’re put on this earth to reach out, why aren’t we do it? Why are we so stuck on our own little worlds? Nobody knows anybody’s real story. Nobody. We all have thoughts in our mind that NOBODY knows. So, think about that. Think really hard about that.
