Taking a Homeless Guy to Lunch
Today I had lunch with an old friend and church planter. It was inspiring as he shared with me some of his adventures over his last year in church planting and some of the amazing things that God had used him to do in the lives of broken people. I walked away encouraged, and at the same time I walked away wondering why God hasn’t been using me in that sort of way lately, wishing that God would use me too.
I went to Kroger like a good husband to pick up something that my wife needed for cooking dinner, and on my way out I was asked for money by a homeless guy. Of course, I get hit up for money by homeless people all the time, that is a fact of life living in the city, but as this guy asked for help, God stirred in me.
So, knowing that you never hand a homeless dude cash, and not having any cash anyway, I decided to take him to McDonald’s. We hopped into my car (I know that just made someone nervous) and ended up going to Wendy’s instead (probably a better choice). I bought him lunch and then did a novel thing, something I have never done before, I sat and talked with him while he ate.
His name is Mark. He has two daughters 17 and 19 and is from Lynchburg Virginia. He has been in Atlanta for a few months and likes it so far. And, most importantly, he is a follower of Jesus.
At one point I sat there completely dumbfounded when he started talking about his faith. He said, “God is so good, he always gives me all I need.” Did I mention that this guy was homeless? Did I mention that he had nothing except the clothes on his back and had nowhere to sleep tonight? Did I mention that he hadn’t had a shower? And still, he was so grateful to serve a God that gives him all he needs.
At another point in the meal he said, “before I knew Jesus I had nothing to live for, now I have everything to live for.” Then he went on to talk about how life is all about serving and helping others. It was truly amazing to listen to Mark talk about life and faith, and it was convicting to me.
You see, the past few weeks I have been more stressed out than any other time in my life, and almost all of that stress goes back to money. For a while there, it wasn’t looking like the church was going to be able to pay me for this month, making an already tight financial situation nearly impossible. I have been stressing and thinking of every possible way to make ends meet. Just the other day we realized that even though our church can’t pay me all of my salery for this month, it can pay me part of my salary so that we can get by, but my stress over this really hasn’t subsided and it has been hard.
So today, still in the midst of all of this financial stress, I sat across the table from a homeless man that had more faith that God would provide for his needs than I had that God would provide for mine. Wow.
Needless to say, today was a turning point. I don’t think I will forget Mark for a very long time. I might have blessed him with a full belly and a little cash, but he has blessed me far more. Today was a faith strengthening day, a day when I can almost hear God cheering on the work that we are doing for His Kingdom.
My lunch with a homeless man, with Mark, may have very well been the most important lunch meeting I have had in a very, very long time, and I am incredably thankful!
September 25th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Don’t know about you, but this guy’s thoughts about a prayer I don’t ever hear sure got me thinking in the same way too:
http://churchformenflorida.blogspot.com/2008/09/prayer-were-afraid-to-pray.html
September 25th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Wow Adam,
Your story with Mark has just inspired and convicted me as well. I, too, have not had much faith ubder all my stresses lately. This put things in perspective. Thank you for sharing. GOD BLESS!!
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
This story is going around the internet
Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read “Vote Obama, I need the money.” I laughed.
Once in the restaurant my server had on a “Obama 08″ tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference — just imagine the coincidence.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I’ve decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
I like yours better