Saturday, February 14, 2009
Today my youth group went around down town Portland doing a "Random Acts of Kindness Scavenger Hunt" to try and branch out, doing things we normally wouldn't do: asking a stranger if we could pray for them and then doing it, giving another stranger a bible, passing out free waters...etc. When we were heading back to our cars a homeless man came up to us asking for money for a bus fair. One of our leaders handed him five bucks and to prove he wouldn't spend any of it on drugs, he made us watch him buy some donuts. To be honest, I was sort of nervous standing there next to this strange guy, not knowing what he would do. But the next half hour we stood outside the convenience store and listened to his various stories he shared with us, and we patiently and attentively listened. I went from being scared, to actually enjoying what he had to say. Afterwards, we handed him a bible, and we just knew he was so greatful to have had the chance to talk to some people. It was just nice to make some one smile with just a few simple minutes, when they may not have smiled for a long time.
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Good story, thanks. It makes me think of the Monk and Neagle song:
ReplyDeleteThe Twenty-First Time
Nowhere to live
Nowhere to fall
He used to have money
But he’s wasted it all
His face is a photograph burned in mind
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time
He sleeps under stars, it’s all he can afford
His blanket’s an old coat he’s had since the war
He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time
He may be a drifter who’s grown old and gray
But what if it’s Jesus and I walk away
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time
She’s 29 but she feels 48
She can’t raise three kids on minimum wage
She’s crying in back of the welfare line
But I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time
She may be a stranger trying to get through the day
But what if it’s Jesus and I walk away
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
But I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time
This is a call for a change in my heart
I realize that I’ve not been doing my part
When I needed a Savior, I found it in Him
He gave to me, now I’ll give back to them
Drifter or stranger, daughter or son
I’ll look for Jesus in everyone
‘Cause I am the body and drink of the wine
And I’m thankful there’s more than the twenty-first time