A Man Named Charlie

I had an interesting encounter yesterday.  Let me preface it with this:

In the weekly bible study group that I am a part of, we've been talking for the last few weeks about God's will for our lives.  Is it a specific thing?  How do we know what it is?  How do we hear from God?  And we got into a bit of a debate at one point about how God 'speaks' to us...  we had a book that took the very strong position that God only speaks to us and directs us through His word.  Well, this didn't sit too well with many of us who believe and have experienced God 'speaking' to us through his Spirit in many ways and in many kinds of experiences - through prayer, through advice from others, through (gasp!) feelings, etc.  So this whole discussion has been on my mind...

Then, I had my blog post from yesterday on my mind as well, where I had mentioned all the ways that I have seen friends involved in loving others in the name of Jesus.

And...  since I've been doing this devotional series, I've been reciting the Shema throughout the day and trying to keep in mind the idea of loving God and loving others above all things.

OK, with that in mind, back to yesterday.

I had just left a very nice time at lunch with my friend Misty where we had spent most of our time talking about the pros and cons and costs of sending your kids to a rather expensive private college.  As I left there, Anna texted me (she was home from school that day with a friend working on a project for school...long story)  and asked if I would bring lunch home for them...  from Nothing But Noodles.  I was nearby so I said OK and headed over to get them lunch, all the while thinking that I sure do spend a lot of money on my kids.  As I turned into the parking lot of Whitesburg Shopping Center, I noticed a man sitting on the curb with a sign in his hands and a small suitcase sitting next to him.  And it was windy and freezing outside. :(   I drove past him and my heart went out to him, but in that same instant fear and doubt began speaking to me.  "You don't know him.  You're alone - you shouldn't approach him.  You shouldn't give him money because you don't know what he will do with it. And on and on...."   But as I parked, went in the restaurant and ordered food for the girls, my spirit wouldn't let up...  it urged me, then compelled me, to do something.   (How could I so easily spend money the way that I do and not at the very least get him something to eat?)  So I'm standing at the take-out area and then it hit me that I just had to go back thru the line and order this man something to eat.  I did that, feeling a little silly since I had just gone thru the line, and then waited a couple of minutes for the food to get ready. 

As I headed back to my car, I whispered a prayer of hope that what I was about to do was going to be helpful to the man and give glory to God...  then pulled out and headed back towards the man.  I pulled over, got out of my car and walked over, and said hello.  The man smiled up at me and said hi and said he was looking for work to do.  I told him I didn't have any work, but that I had brought him some lunch and I hoped that would help.  He was so happy to take the food - he introduced himself as Charlie and again, feeling compelled, I reached out and shook his hand.  He had such kind eyes.  :)  He said to me, "God bless you.  You are so sweet - you will be in my prayers."  It melted my heart to see this man, who has almost nothing (in the eyes of the world), bless me (who seemingly has so much) with his words. 

And as a little bonus, as I was talking to him, another woman came up alongside me and offered some more food to him.  We found out he is new in town and from Albertville and we told him about Manna House near The Rock.  He thanked us for the information and we went on our way.

I got back in my car, and cried, and prayed all the way home that he would find his way to people who could help him and thanked God for giving me the courage to listen and do something with the voice (God's Spirit) that was speaking to my spirit and telling me to do something for that man. 

So yes, I do believe that God speaks to us and directs us through his Spirit in so many ways...  and I was so very blessed yesterday by taking hold of the chance to love someone, at least in some small way,  the way that Jesus would have loved.