God's Instrument

A few days ago, I was walking to my car from math class at Marshall when I passed by an older man on a motorized scooter. He was asking people for spare change. When it came to be my turn he asked me (sounding just like Sylvester Stallone) "you got any spare change?" My immediate reaction was to pull out my wallet even though I knew I didn't have any cash on me. I intended to give him some cash if I had any but honestly I was just digging through an empty wallet to show him I didn't have any cash. He then said "oh I'm just trying to find somethin' to eat." At that moment, I began to tell him I'm sorry I couldn't help him. He then shrugged and rode on by. I began to walk to my car but as I was walking, it was as plain as day that God was obviously tugging on my heart to turn around and go buy him some food. "Oh, Someone else will do it" I thought to myself. But God was very persistent. I finally gave in right before I crossed 3rd avenue to my car. The funny thing was, when I turned around, expecting to have to run and catch up with him because he was flying on that scooter, he was heading my direction. When I reached him, he was asking the people all around him for money and I could then see how desperate he was. It was almost as if I was blind to just how desperate he really was when I first encountered him. I was determined to get this man some food. So I told him, "There's a food court just down that way a little, why don't you follow me and I'll get you something to eat." He willingly agreed and was way ahead of me on that scooter. He asked me if they have a sub place because he wanted a meatball sub. To which I responded saying the sub place is gone now but there's a Pizza Hut. I ended up buying him a cheese pizza and some breadsticks. He thanked me and was on his way. Not only did this teach me a lesson on the quality of simple generosity but it showed me that even though I stood out and helped the man in need, doesn't mean I'm anymore of a light in the eyes of God than he is. It's not about trying to show God that you're all that in a bag of chips by giving a poor man some food or money, it's about trusting God when he so obviously wants you to be his instrument.

Naaman

BBYM Drummer