POCKET CHANGE FOR JESUS

One of hubby and my favorite things to do when standing in the shopping line, is to hand a child a quarter. The child might be fussy and in need of a nap. Or she might be delightfully flirty. But when we hand her a shiny quarter, the same thing happens each time: a slow, shy smile spreads over her face.

But it’s the parent who is often most delightful. There’s always the "What do you say?" nudge to the child. But then the parent looks at us and silently speaks words from his heart:

"Thank you for loving my child."

These experiences remind me of Jesus. It brings the point home that when we love others on behalf of Jesus, we are showing them the love He feels for them.

Showing Jesus’ love doesn’t have to be two weeks spent at a mission in Africa. It doesn’t have to be an emptying of the bank account to establish a presence in Tibet. It doesn’t have to mean quitting your job, selling your house and moving to Cambodia. It might be

A compliment to a frazzled store clerk

A smile and hello to a harried business man

A cup of coffee paid for the next car in the coffee drive through

A quarter to a child

When Jesus sent us into the world, He sent us into the whole world. Even the world in our country, our state, our city, our grocery store. To love others in His name. Because when we love them, He is loving them through us.

You can almost hear Jesus saying, "Thank you for loving my child."

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the world and the people you have placed in it. We know you love all of us. Please show us ways to love others who come into our lives and to do so in your name. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? What is your favorite random act of kindness?

POCKET CHANGE

You know the routine. Drive up to the stop light and try to avoid the eyes of the homeless man on the corner with the cardboard sign that says, "God bless you."

Sigh.

The guilt sets in. Sometimes the indignity. The self-righteousness. The annoyance.

Sometimes the pity. Sometimes the compassion. Sometimes the generosity.

And sometimes the window rolls down and pocket change drops from your hand into that of the man with the cardboard sign.

You wonder if the change will end up as food or…

But you shrug your shoulders because—in the end—it doesn’t matter from an eternal perspective what the money is used for.

Certainly the money means something to the receiver. But my giving to the man with the cardboard sign isn’t about him as much as it is about me. From my perspective as a giver—and from God’s perspective on eternity—my gift reflects my heart for others. It’s about God moving me toward not just being a giver. But a cheerful giver.

It’s about God moving me from a giver of pocket change to a giver of paper money or time or prayer or love or a cup of water to one who is thirsty—in Jesus’ name. And with Jesus’ frame of mind, Jesus’ heart for others and Jesus’ leading.
　

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

That man with the cardboard sign? Could be an angel. Read his sign again. He’s sending you God’s blessing, after all.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for your provision and the way you are changing our heart. Please help us see people in need from your eyes and with your heart. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? How do you respond to folks in need of change?


This post is part of the Christian Writers blog chain. Our theme for September is "change." Please follow the links to the right to see what my friends have to say this month.