“for i was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, i was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, i was a stranger and you invited me in, i needed clothes and you clothed me, i was sick and you looked after me, i was in prison and you visited me….. i tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”   matthew 26:36, 40

so this morning i got up early and stopped at chick-fil-a on the way to my teachers’ workshop.  i didn’t have much time, and the drive thru line was insanely long, so i opted for a to-go order inside.  i knew i only had five or six dollars in cash, so like most of us these days, i slid my debit card through the register slot.  my small order seemed to take forever, putting me behind schedule. i still had 30 minutes left on my commute, and parking is almost impossible at this particular meeting site unless you arrive considerably early.

pulling out of the parking lot i noticed a young man sitting under a tree; i’m fairly certain he was waiting on a ride to a job site, because i’ve seen him there once before.  a young woman with headphones on made her way to the bus stop.  another man waited on the corner of the restaurant’s sidewalk, watching for his breakfast appointment.  i passed them all and headed toward the red light.

and then i noticed him.

passed him, actually.

he was scruffy and had on too many layers of clothes.  scraggly beard and mustache, long hair.  shuffling along near the bushes and trees, heading nowhere in particular but careful to stay out of the way of cars.

“buy his breakfast.  he hasn’t eaten.”  it was almost audible.  seriously.

ok!  yes, i will.  i still have that cash.  it’s all yours, God  it’s all his.  yes, i will.

grabbing the wad of ones from my wallet as i swerved back into the parking lot, i slowed until i was beside him.  rolling down the passenger window, i reached through and handed him the money.  “good morning; i’d like to buy your breakfast today.  get something good, okay?”

he was so grateful.  “thank you, oh, thank you so much.” 

as i drove back around to the exit, i looked back to see him walking into the restaurant.

by himself.

and for a split second it bothered me that he was alone.

but.

i had to be somewhere.  and i was already late.

i prayed and asked God to multiply the money.  like the loaves and fishes.  so that he could get whatever he wanted.  then i asked God to send someone, a Christian someone, in to talk to him.

except here’s the thing:  God had already sent a Christian someone.

me.

but i was too busy.  i had an agenda.  a plan for a parking spot.

and well, this would have interrupted my plan.

and so.

i kept driving.

i cannot tell you how i wish i had responded differently.

oh, if i had it to do over again, i would park my car.  walk over to him.  take off my sunglasses.  look him in the eyes.  call him sir.  pat him on the arm.  invite him to have breakfast with me.  with someone who cares.  someone who has a few minutes to listen to his story.  to make a personal connection.  to see him as a human being.  someone of value.

i would tell him that he is not invisible.  that God sees him.  and that’s why i saw him.

i would speak life over him.

throw some courage on him.

pray with him.

yes, the money was a good gift.  yes, it did help him out.  yes, he ate today because of it.  and no, i’m not planning to beat myself up over what i didn’t do.

but listen, it’s not just about giving the money.  or donating the items.  or sacrificing an afternoon at the soup kitchen. or volunteering at the outreach event.  or sponsoring the child.  or going on the mission trip.

it’s about connecting with people.  hurting people.  needy people.

slowing down long enough to really see them.  acknowledge them.   set aside the discomfort and inconvenience and spend some time with them.

i could have done it.  i could have taken the time.

Jesus did.

when i  read the scriptures i see how Jesus interacted with people in need.  he never just solved their problem and moved on.  he touched them.  he looked at them.  he spoke to them.  he spent some measure of time with them.

he met their physical needs, their emotional needs, their spiritual needs. 

i’m too busy.  i’m too distracted.  i’m self-centered.

it’s idolatry.

and it doesn’t please God.

oh God, please give me another chance.  more opportunities to walk out the gospel of Jesus like Jesus would.  like Jesus did.  empty me of me, so that i can see the needs of hurting people.  you said, “inasmuch as you have done it to the least of them, you have done it to Me.”  teach me how to love “the least of them.”

change my heart. 

whatever it takes, God, change me.

from the inside out.