Making A Choice

Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)

About a month ago we had a breakfast gathering for our youth and young adults at church. Instead of bible studies and personal stories we had eggs and sausages. It was the last Sunday of the year and to be honest I didn't feel like planning a class. So instead I planned a breakfast at which we could share one another's stories of how the past year was like and what we were looking forward to in the coming year.

As usual we had left over food. After offering everyone to take the food home and being told everyone was heading off to a lunch of some sort, I took the food home to give to my wife who stayed home that day with a touch of the flu and a fever just above 100. I wasn't sure if she had breakfast, or lunch for that matter, so I though the food would be good for her.

On my way home I stopped by a drug store in the area to see if there was anything my wife might need. The parking lot was full and as I drove around looking for a space and hoping something would open up soon, I noticed a man sitting in a side driveway, his back to the wall, his knees pulled up to his chest, and his head resting on his knees.

His clothing was dirty, his hair disheveled. It was raining lightly and I could tell he was trying to get as much shelter as he could. As people walked by he would raise his head, and from the warm dryness of my car I could see his mouth move as his hand went out. I watched as person after person walked by or walked around.

My heart dropped as I deeply wished I could help. Then I remembered the plate of eggs and sausages in my trunk. Without a second thought I drove up to this man as he sat on the ground. I got out of my car and walked around to the back as he sat straighter, becoming more aware of what was happening. As I lifted my trunk lid I noticed there were other cars stacking up behind me.

I called him over and offered him my apologies for not having a fork for him to eat this with. He smiled and simply said it was ok. As I got back in my car I heard a small whisper in my ear say thank you. I'm not sure who said it, as there was nobody else in or near the car, but I know for a fact that someone said it.

As I drove away I became overwhelmed by emotion, actually crying so hard that I had to pull over to the curb to try and calm down enough to drive. I can't explain what happened in that moment, but I can tell you that my yoke was removed and my heart was lightened.

God's love is always with us, let's look for reasons to share it.