To Love as Christ Did

I want to love as Christ did.


I want to be Christ's hands and feet on earth.


I want to be humble.


So whether or not I should post this entry has been on my mind some...but I decided that this is a place for me to journal my thoughts and feelings and I feel strongly about this subject.


Houston is filled with so many homeless people and people deep in poverty. I live out in the suburbs so I don't see it all around me. But, homeless people are all still on my mind much of the time. It's something I can't ignore any more.


When we lived in Houston before (2005-2007ish) we lived closer in to the city and regularly saw homeless/poverty stricken people. I was very good at ignoring them. For safety reasons, I justified. I didn't want to get hurt or thrown in my car by someone at a gas station as they were asking for money. So, needless to say, I wasn't really rude to them, basically just didn't pay them much attention.


Well, now we're back in Houston and Mark and I both feel quite differently about a number of things since we lived here before. We both read the book Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. To say that it changed our hearts and attitudes is an understatement.  After reading the book, we have a whole new perspective on homeless people. How they got there, why they are still there, how they are treated, etc.


God has been working on our hearts for years now in a number of areas...this is one that I can see his hand in immensely.


As Christians, we can not act like homeless people aren't God's Children.  "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:15-16


Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think I should give every homeless person I see a $20 bill. But, I do think that I can try and make them feel a little more human. Numerous times now, I've pulled over to the side of the road and prayed with several homeless people.  Asked them their name.  Listened to their story. I've tried to bless a few of them with a little cash...one man named Brian wouldn't accept it. He was the first homeless man in Houston I prayed with. He said that money wasn't what he was about...he was just making his way across the US and asked if I would pray with him. We held hands and prayed for each other. He said that we should ask God once a month(on the first of the month) to bless the other person. WOW. I was speechless. I drove away from him thanking God for letting me meet Brian and for his boldness to ask ME to pray with him...


Another woman that I prayed with a few days ago...really struck a cord with me. Her name was Honey and she had her two sons with her...Roger and Isaac. I don't know if we connected b/c we both have 2 boys and both of our youngest sons are named Isaac...but she seemed so sweet to me. We talked about how Isaac means "laughter" in the bible.


Just because someone is homeless doesn't mean we shouldn't treat them just like everyone else. "As Believers, in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism." James 2:1


I want to be Christ's hands and feet on Earth...


I made the mistake before and was afraid of homeless people...I'm not saying to not be cautious. Of course, we should all exercise caution in our everyday lives. But, we shouldn't use that as an excuse to ignore another one of God's children.


I want to love as Christ did...