"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23

Friday, June 11, 2010

An Answered Prayer

So today I was waiting to meet with Sarah Shin, a member of Bridge of Life who also has worked at the Green house, to talk with her about one of my projects for the summer and gain some input from her. One of my projects is coming up with a children’s ministry growth plan, to get children from the organizations connected with Bridge of Life better connected to the church. Anyway so I was waiting for Sarah outside of Starbuck’s at one of their tables because I needed to be able to sit by my bike since I didn’t have a bike lock and I began to write a prayer. I was watching people go by and noticed many people looking in trash cans and picking out cans, many people asking people for money as the walked by and began to write a prayer for the people in need of the community. I prayed that God would protect them and provide for them, but I also prayed that God would help me to better know how to love and care for people in need. Often I find my self wanting to care and help people, but afraid of either their response or what will happen if I do try to help the people in need. I prayed for God to help give me strength and courage to love these people. So right then Sarah pulled up and we talked for a minute and then she went inside to grab a coffee. While I waited for her outside, an elderly man came and sat down right at my table and started talking with me. He said what a beautiful day and how he wished he could be fishing and then proceeded to ask me who I thought would win tonight between the Lakers and The Celtics. I told him that I was rooting for the Celtics and then he said that’s ok, but he was rooting for the Lakers because he loves the Lakers. As we begin talking a smile spreads across my face and all I can think about is wow…God works quickly. I guess I didn’t think he would present an opportunity for me to talk with the homeless. I figured that I needed to first get strength and learn how to love people in need and THEN I would meet them. Well He had a different plan. So we continue talking and he told me his name was Lee. His first name is Leo and his middle name was Lee, but everyone calls him Lee. Sarah came out side and joined us and we talked for a little more and he went on to tell us about his life in the neighborhood, the jobs he has had and how he goes and collects cans every day to help pay because he is on a limited income. A while later we told him it was great talking with him and that we hoped to see him again. He smiled and shook our hands and then walked down the road. I was amazed. Who thought that God would meet me outside of Starbucks? Apparently not me, but there he was.

Learning to better love the least of these,

Kristen

Mathew 25:14-45
The Sheep and the Goats
31-33"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.

34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'

37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.'

41-43"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because—

I was hungry and you gave me no meal,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was homeless and you gave me no bed,
I was shivering and you gave me no clothes,
Sick and in prison, and you never visited.'

44"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?'

45"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.'

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