Last week, heading to our local pharmacy, we drove by a woman sitting on the sidewalk holding a sign. Not an uncommon site in most communities.
As we drove by the woman, I made a couple of observations. One, it was dark out and she was sitting on the sidewalk in a dimly lit, low-traffic area reaching her arms high above her head holding her sign. Two, the words on her sign were not “typical” of a panhandler’s sign. I cannot remember exactly what the sign said but I remember just 3 words “kindness in humanity”.
We live in a small community and the presence of panhandlers is not as prevalent as in a larger community. Most often we see the same few people holding signs from “homeless, please help” to “day labor wanted”.
We used to live in a much larger metropolitan area where you would encounter this on every street corner and being surrounded by so much need had me feeling helpless and heartbroken that I was becoming hardened and critical of each person. I understand that God has gifted each of us with a burden for different areas of service. Some people have a passion for helping the homeless, some people have a passion for helping the elderly, some it’s serving children, and the list can go on and on. For some people, you haven’t yet stepped into your gifting, so you feel condemnation when you are not helping everyone, everywhere. Well, guess what? That feeling is not from God. That is the enemy making you feel that way to keep you from what God has for you. I would get so self-condemning that my desire to help everyone had me helping no one. Finally, I laid that struggle at the feet of Jesus and prayed for His sign when I was truly called to step out and meet the needs presented by those on street corners.
I didn’t feel that tug I have become accustomed to when God is getting my attention. This was different and she had my attention.
As we pulled into a parking space, I kept looking over at the woman. We went into the store and as my husband was waiting for his prescription, I asked for the keys and headed back to the car. It’s not something I would normally do. As I opened the car door, I got into my purse took out my remaining $7, and headed across the parking lot to the woman. She was now standing, still holding her sign. As I got closer, we made eye contact and I noticed she had tears streaming down her face. Not just a few, but tears streaming down her face. Every article of clothing she was wearing from head to toe was worn and extremely dirty. Her face was covered in dirt and her hair was a matted tangled mess. I wasn’t sure what to say or really what to expect. I just handed her the money and said, “This is all that I have”. She just looked at me and through tears said, “It has been two days, thank you” and then repeated, “it has been two days”. I then hugged her, expecting to be assaulted by what I was sure would be an unpleasant odor, and replied “I am sorry, but it will get better. I promise”. At that point, I realized there was no foul smell but a subtle sweet smell. Not in the least offensive but welcoming and warm.
While walking back to my car, I was puzzled by my response. Why would I promise that it would get better? I didn’t know her situation. Those were just the words that just naturally flowed from my lips. As I have come to understand, sometimes we feel compelled to do things that we don’t fully understand, but as followers of Jesus, we just step out of the way and let the Holy Spirit work through our actions and words. They don’t have to make a hill of beans sense to us but to the one that is hearing the message they make all the sense in the world.
I shared this encounter with my husband and again last night while chatting with a friend and it was at that point, I realized I had to share this with you. God is continually working. He is working in us and through us when we let him. When the world feels like it is falling apart and you are struggling to see one redeeming quality, remember there is kindness in humanity all you need do is look for it. It will be revealed to you or better yet, through YOU!
God Bless.
Your Friend, Rho.
