The Least of These

I spent several hours this afternoon shopping in Kansas City for stuff to put in the kids' Easter baskets. I treated myself to a Starbucks sweetened black iced tea and was enjoying driving around the city with the window's down and the wind blowing my hair, listening to Air 1. It was the perfect afternoon.

It was getting close to time for dinner so I pulled into the Hyvee to pick up some Chinese food for Matthew's grandparents. As I turned into the parking lot, there stood a man with jeans, a t-shirt and graying hair. He held a sign. "Homeless will work for food".

Everything in me wanted to drive by him. Forget him. Get on with my perfect evening.

I could not.

Oh God! I started praying. What am I suppose to do?! I'm by myself. He could be doing this for a living. How do I even know he's really homeless?

God, do you really expect me to give him something?

Yes.

So with shaky knees I picked out a box of granola bars and a bottled water. I headed for the check out. I paid and started for the car. My heart was pounding. You see, the homeless have always intimidated me. I'm terrified of rejection from these people Jesus cared so much about. I realize this makes no sense. I got in the car and could hear the Lord saying Money. Give him money.

Sigh. Really God? We don't have much of that. 

I opened my wallet to see what was left. $10. OK I could give him a five.

Give it all.

Oh Lord. you're so funny. I wont have anything left!

Give it all.

With my pulse pounding in my head I drove up to the man and rolled down the window. As I looked into this man's eyes, a man who was about my daddy's age, all fear left. I instantly wanted to tell him to get in the car and come have dinner with us. But I'm not at home and I really couldn't do that to Matthew's grandparents.

I handed him the bag with the granola bars in it and then told him that God had told me to give him this $10. He looked at the money for a moment and then back at me. He thanked me and said he would have a place to sleep tonight. The shelter charged $10.

My nature is to think this man was lying to me. Lying to everyone with his sign. I know there are people who do this for a living who make far more than Matthew does. I know there are people who are trying to steal their way through life. God's nature is to love those who are forgotten. God's nature is to love me enough to carry my human nature on the cross. God's nature is to conquer death so that I may live. Who am I to embrace my nature?

I pulled out of the parking lot and toward the beautiful houses of Overland Park, Kansas. Tears could be held back no longer. I am a spoiled brat among the helpless. I want for so many things while so many want for their basic needs.

While millions of people will fill church pews tomorrow and celebrate our Saviors Resurrection in beautiful Easter clothes after getting a basket from the Easter Bunny, I wonder how many people will look at those churches and ask where this Jesus is...

"...Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40