Be A Blessing

Tis the season of thanks and giving!  On Thursday, we spent time with family and friends sharing a meal and thanking God for our many blessings.  Friday began the season of giving.  While we like to believe everyone spent Thursday with family and friends sharing a meal - that’s not true.  While the news would have us believe everyone went shopping on “Black” Friday, that’s not true either.  There are countless people in need right now.  If you don’t belive me, join some community groups on Facebook.  People are asking for help with gas, help with rent, an extra turkey, a twin mattress, help getting their children’s names on the Angel Tree - you name it, someone needs it. 

Proverbs 22:9  The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

On Friday I had a taste for a BLT - yes, there were turkey leftovers in the fridge, but that’s not what I wanted.  I wanted bacon.  I felt a little crazy going to the grocery store the day after Thanksgiving, but I really wanted that sandwich, so I went.  The parking lot was nearly empty and inside, I only saw a few people, but one of the people I saw was an older woman with a tattered jacket and shoes.  She had a shopping cart with 2-3 items in it, and she was counting some balled up $1 bills from her pocket.  The Holy Spirit spoke to me suggesting that I give her some money.  My heart started beating really fast, I don’t know why, but it did.  Then I starting trying to think of a strategy.  (Stupid, I know!)  Then I questioned, do I even have any cash - because normally I don’t!  I looked in my purse and I did have some cash!  I took out what I would give the lady, then she was gone.  I walked around trying to locate her again and she was in the checkout line, so my time was limited.  I decided to walk up next to her and bend down with the money in my hand and pretend I picked up money next to her foot then ask her if she had just dropped it.  (More stupidity!)  I did it.  I said, “Ma’am, did you drop this?” I held a $20 bill out to her.  She said, “Oh, yes, I did!  Thank you!”  I was not expecting that!!!  I thought I was going to have to convince her that she dropped it, but I suppose she was praying for some more money and the Lord answered her prayer, so no need to fight it.

I still had not found the bacon, so I went back through the aisles.  There was a lady doing some serious price comparisons on the cheeses, then she walked away without any cheese.  I decided to give her some cash, too.  This time, I didn’t even try to come up with a strategy, I just walked upto her and said, “Ma’am, the Holy Spirit told me to give you some money, so please take this to help with whatever you need.”  She was amazed and thankful, she turned her cart around and went right back to the cheese.

I found the bacon and a few other things.  As I waited in the checkout line a man, missing a limb, entered the line behind me.  I was reminded of the conversations I had with some of the patients in rehab during clinicals a few weeks ago.  My items rolled down the conveyer belt and the employee scanned them.  Next was the man’s single item, a loaf of bread.  I told the employee, “go ahead and put his bread on my tab.”  That man’s face lit up!  He was thankful.

Luke 3:11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Please, before you comment - this post is not about me, please don't make it about me.  Scripture says when we give to the needy, our giving should be in secret. (Matthew 6:1-4)  I started not to share any of this, but my blog is where I am transparent with readers and my experiences on Friday illustrate the points of this week’s message. 
1) People are in need. 
2) People in need can be found everywhere. 
3) You don’t have to find an organization to volunteer with in order to help someone.  You can find an organization, but don't let looking for an organization cause you to delay in helping those in need. 
4) You can help others out of your own abundance.  Regardless of how abundant you believe your blessings to be, remember that what you have is from the Lord, if He gave it to you, you can share to someone else. 
5) You could be the answer to someone else’s prayer.  The Lord didn’t tell me to try and be creative with my giving, He just told me to help a fellow grocery patron.  
6) When possible, help others in the presence of your children.  They need to see that you SEE others in need and are willing to help.  They hear you talking about bills, so they need to see you being a blessing. 

Notice, the underlined phrase above, “The Holy Spirit spoke to me suggesting…”  I don’t know how the Holy Spirit speaks to you, but typically when He speaks to me it's quiet, gentle, not commanding.  Sometimes, I can recite what He said in exact words, but yesterday it was more a feeling than an actual sound.  I say it was a suggestion, because He gave me a choice.  I could have chosen to pretend I didn’t hear it.  I could have told myself it was just a thought, not the Lord speaking to me.  I could have listened to Satan reminding me of the bills I have due in the next couple of weeks.  None of those bills were dependent upon the cash I had already withdrawn from my account.  

Finally, I’ll add that through these experiences on Friday, He answered my prayer.  I was praying for a new blog topic for this week, as what I thought was the blog may become my next book!  Thanks + Giving!  Be a blessing!  Amen! 

Psalm 140:12  I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

Proverbs 14:21  It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.


​Thank you for reading! 
Be a blessing to someone this week!  Amen!
Please take a moment to share this message with someone you know!
Kim
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