The story below reminds me of my good friend Eddie, the homeless guy from my regular Starbucks. Yep...you heard me right, he is homeless but he is also my friend. Eddie has been coming to Starbucks for several months now. He carries his sleeping bag and another bag that I'm sure is filled with items...items that represent the life he had before being homeless. He also carries an old Office Depot bag with papers inside. No one knows what papers exactly but it seems very important to him. He is clean shaven and showered everytime I see him.
When he first started coming around, people seemed afraid of him and avoided him at all costs. Why? Just because he was homeless? I, on the other hand, was not afraid. I offered to buy him a coffee and he refused, he politely told me thank you and said he had the money to buy his own coffee. I've never once seen him ask someone for money or food. What I do see him doing is opening the door for everyone that comes in or leaves Starbucks. Here is a man that has nothing but a few belongings, someone that doesn't know where he is going to sleep from night to night, someone that doesn't have anyone to help take care of him if he falls ill. One might think he would be depressed or upset because of his circumtances. But instead, here is a man that says hello to everyone that comes to Starbucks. He opens the door for them when they come in and when they leave.
This is a man that tells me to 'Have a good day cowgirl' when I leave. He sometimes opens my car door for me and makes sure I'm 'all in' before he shuts the door. This is a man that was a pilot for the military and served in Vietnam. Yes, he served our country and fought for our freedom. He also had a family once, I don't know what happened to them because he won't talk about it. But he sure loves to talk about his time in the military, it is something he is proud of. But see, no one sees this side of Eddie, they only take the time to see the homeless man that carries a sleeping bag. They don't take the time out of their busy day to meet the Eddie I know, the man that I call my friend!
So my friends, I simply ask...do you take the time to say hi to a stranger? Do you judge people by their misfortune? Are you thankful that you have a roof over head even though you may be late on some bills? Are you thankful that you have food to put on the table even though your rent may be a little late? Do you take the time to see the blessings in your life even though things seem to be going wrong? And do you offer that homeless person a cup of coffee or a free meal?
Although Eddie is homeless...he is one of God's children, just like you and I. Had I not taken the chance to say hi to him...if I had looked at him with distaste like so many others do because he is homeless...I wouldn't be blessed enough to know what a great man he is...I wouldn't be blessed enough to call him...my friend. We all withold it in ourselves to make a difference in someone's life. I don't know if I made a difference in Eddie's life...but I do know he made a difference in mine!!!
Coffee Anyone???
As I tried to catch a few more minutes of sleep, my husband leaned over and whispered that he was going to the pool. We were on a Florida vacation so going to the pool would be a normal activity for many people, just not my husband. He is not someone who "goes to the pool." Ever. The beach, maybe, but usually only when I go with him for a walk.
So, when he kissed me and headed out the hotel door alone I was curious, although not curious enough to miss a little more shut eye! As I rolled over thirty minutes later, I realized he hadn't come back yet, so I did a little snooping.
I went onto our balcony to see if I could get a glimpse of him, wondering what he might be doing. As I scanned the pool area, I caught sight of a homeless man sitting on the side of the road leading to the public beach entrance. I remembered passing him the day before as he was sleeping in the grass. Today, however, he was sitting with his legs crossed, coffee in hand, talking to someone. I leaned a little further over the edge of the balcony and my heart skipped as I realized it was my husband. The two of them were sitting on rocks, drinking cups of coffee, engaged in conversation.
I watched them from a distance for about twenty minutes until they parted ways. My husband looked so comfortable talking to this man. They were laughing, smiling and having a nice time. I learned he offered to do the guy's laundry, and then sent him on his way with a little cash. I had to pause a moment and ask myself if I would have been gutsy enough to do the same. Would I approach a complete stranger just to sit and talk? Would I offer someone hungry a coffee and a breakfast bar as my husband did?
As I pondered their encounter I thought about the kind of man my husband is. You see, he's not the type to get up early and read his Bible every single day, and he's not on any committees at church. What you will see him do though, is talk to homeless men, give money to needy strangers, and be kind to people. You know, "be Jesus" to others.
I believe God asks each one of us to step out and "be Jesus." Sometimes, though, we get so consumed with everyday life we just don't do it, or we say we'll do it later because we don't have time now.
I also believe that God doesn't ask us to do anything that He hasn't already prepared us for. You see, my husband was homeless as a teenager. He was forced to live on his own from the time he was 15 years old. He learned to find shelter in snowdrifts, basements, and abandoned cars. He has a heart for the unlovely, the runaways, and those whose clothes aren't so clean.
We each have gifts, talents and past experiences that allow us to reach out and touch others in ways that will be meaningful to them. It often doesn't cost us more than a cup of coffee to do so. What experiences or passions do you have that would make you a perfect candidate to reach out to someone today?
Dear God, open my eyes to the people around me so I can make a difference to someone else. I know the circumstances of my life are not left in vain when I offer myself to You and Your service. Provide a way for me to "be Jesus" to someone today.
Inspire-A-Footprint today...
Love, Tonia
Inspire-A-Footprint today by forwarding this to a friend! They can sign up for daily doses of inspiration too!
http://inspirationalfootprints.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment