I wrote this on 3/15/12:
I gave a double cheeseburger to a homeless man at lunch yesterday. It doesn't seem like much, now that I think about it, but it's been a weird experience for me. I grew up with a rather traditional view on the homeless-- that they're all lazy drug-addicts who should go get a job. But recently, a number of factors shifted in my head as I spotted this scruffy, dirty, half-asleep, and wholly worn-down man sitting in a corner of Burger King.
I noticed him only after I had ordered two double cheeseburgers-- and thoughts started running through my head. Should I go back and order something for him to eat? But I'm in a rush and I can't get back in line. Should I just ignore him and leave him alone? But he probably doesn't get much to eat and I'm sure he needs this lunch more than I do. Am I supposed to give him one of my double cheeseburgers? But I'd get hungry, and, besides, I paid for them. They're mine, aren't they?
As I grew from my childhood, my mother's attitude to the homeless changed a bit; a lot of homeless people have troubled lives or mental disorders or just some bad luck. They might be on drugs or they might not, but giving them some food certainly won't hurt anyone. And anyway, didn't God say that whatever you do for those who are hungry, you do for Him? And wasn't serving the poor a big part of Jesus's ministry? And, after all, I did get baptized on Sunday, and baptism is supposed to be the outward expression of an inward reality-- to strain toward the plan and uses God has for you...And right now, God really wanted mt to give a double cheeseburger to this man. I didn't want to give my food to this man, per se, but I knew I was going to. It's only the right thing to do.
When I got my order, I walked up to the sleeping man and said, "Excuse me sir." He didn't budge. I said "Hello?" but still he didn't move. So I took a burger out of my bag, looked around, and placed it on the table and slid it close to him, and I left.
wow that was really nice of you! :)
ReplyDeletei'm a big fan of your blog so if you could follow mine or at least leave a comment i'd be forever grateful! <3
Of course I'll follow you!
DeleteI've done this before, it felt really good. :) Well actually, I gave a homeless man a whole box of poptarts cause I really had no use for them. I'm gonna follow this blog. I'd appreciate you following me as well. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid my mother use to own a restaurant and at the end of the day she would give food to the homeless round the back even my fathers clothes which I can tell you wasn't to happy about.
ReplyDeleteThis was back in the 70s and I was about 8 years old which roughly gives my age away, long time ago now.
Lots of reasons why people are homeless,this one guy had lost his family in a car crash another was Mental Ill so there are many reasons as to why people are on the streets not all are drunks or lazy. Don't think anyone would choose to live this way.
What you did was a good thing to do and maybe more people who are in a better position in this world should think about helping and giving back to the community, even if it a gesture like giving someone a Cheese burger.
I'm an athiest myself but you don't have to be a Christian to help others.
Well done :)
Sounds like a top notch lunch.
ReplyDeleteMat 25:37-40
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
We are God's hands and feet
I enjoy reading your blogs BTW
Thank you all for your comments!
ReplyDelete