“Can you help a guy out?” the disheveled man said as I was leaving the bar. I had seen him before, asking people in the parking lot if he could wash their windshield. I had over $500 in my pocket, but I also had a drug deal I needed to get done before Thanksgiving. I ignored the guy.
Later that day I was waiting in the parking lot of the mall where I always met my dealer and I was sure the same guy was there too. He was carrying what looked like the same bucket and I was sure it had to be him. But that could not be possible, the bar was at least 5 miles from here, clear on the other side of town. It must be a coincidence. Anyways, all these bums looked alike.
As I watched him going from car to car, I began to think of times when I had been down and out. I boasted in my mind that I had never lowered myself to begging. I mean, you had to have no pride at all doing that. And the thing was, during the holidays everyone was doing it, or so it seemed. Soon the do-gooders would be in front of every store with their bells and buckets. You could not get away from it.
I was woken out of my revelry as I saw a red Vette approaching. It was Jimmy, who most on the street called Jet. I was probably going to have to do a bit of begging of my own, being a little short on cash. I got out of my car and got into his. He seemed to be watching the same bum. Turning to me, he pointed at the guy and said, “That dude is all over town, man! I just saw him outside the car wash no more than an hour ago. I bet he is a phony, he must have a car to get around like he does.” I nodded my head in agreement and said, “Yeah, I just saw him outside the bar no more than two hours ago. You think he is scamming?” Jet just nodded and replied, “It is all a scam, this charity thing. At least this guy offers to clean your windshield. Those guys in the Santa suits are the real scam artists. I bet they pocket half of what they collect.” I waved it away, we had more important business if I was going to stay high and survive this Thanksgiving. I chuckled thinking, “I need to give to my favorite charity….me!”
Charity is a word I found no use for in my addicted years. It was my opinion that it was every man for himself. If you were hungry go out and get a job. No sympathy is coming from this guy. It is funny that the first thing the Lord did, as I drew closer to Him, was give me a total attitude adjustment in the love and charity department. As I started to see what a sacrifice he made for me, what love he offered as a free gift to this hard-hearted man, I was changed! It was crazy, but every ministry I was directed to was one of caring for people in need. I became one of those ‘do-gooder’ I so often derided as a drunken druggie. Isn’t that a hoot! Our God has a great sense of humor!
The thing is if we are imbued with Jesus, if He is actually living in us, we cannot help but to seek loving and caring for others, because that is what He did. His life was one of a servant. An amazing thing, our Creator came to this earth to serve us. I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. But it is true. He said this of His ministry when the followers of John the Baptist asked if He was the Messiah, “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them.” (Matthew 11:5) There are no ‘bums’ or ‘low lives’ in the eyes of the Savior, because truthfully, we are all low lives in the presence of our Holy God and we are all equal in the power of Jesus to save each of us! Truly, we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. Knowing this can definitely change your life and melt your heart.
Today as we approach another holiday season most of us are going to be busy celebrating with our family and friends. But I want to ask that none of us forget that this time of the year is not about food. It is not about presents. It is an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus. If we do that we will not be able to turn a blind eye to those who are in need. And my prayer is if we seek charity and love centered in Jesus today, it will not end when the Christmas tree is taken down. Jesus is coming soon! On that day I hope you and I are among the sheep on His right and hear Him say, “For I was hungry, and you gave Me to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in.” (Matthew 25:35) Man, what a day that will be!
I want to say, “Happy Thanksgiving” to all of my American friends. If you are reading this in another country. I still want to say how thankful I am that you are a friend of mine, if we have met or not. I share on these pages because of the extraordinary forgiveness and love our God has bestowed on me. If you feel any of that love as you read, then I am blessed doubly.
Happy Thanksgiving blessings, John
11/22/17