This week on Twelve Lunches, a short guest post from one of our readers, Lisa in California.
Lisa is a therapist, mother of two, a yogini, and yes — a Jesus Freak. She believes that love is a verb.
Last week, in my Bible study group studying James, the question was asked: What in your life shows that you are a do-er, and not just a hear-er? I think this question would probably make most of us feel a bit inadequate.
I’ve recently taken to asking homeless people if they are hungry, if I see them on my way into a store. I ask them what they want and then get them that and some treats. Today I did this for a lady standing outside Target. She said she would really love a Coke, and she was hungry but didn’t know what they had inside. I brought her back a large Coke, a sandwich, a warm pretzel, some chips, some trail mix and a candy bar.
When I got back, she was reading her Bible behind her sign. I wanted to say something like “I know you must think God is far away, but He does see you in your distress,” but I only got as far as “I know you must think God is far away. . ..” and she interrupted me. She said “Oh, no, honey!!! I do NOT think God is far away! He has blessed me in so many ways!” and she went on to tell me all the ways God has blessed her life – most of them things that happen to me quite frequently and I completely take for granted. I was humbled almost to the point of tears.
It’s hard to realize just how much we NEED God when we have everything we require, seemingly from our own efforts. I’m thankful for the reminder that everything I have I got from God – and I need to be thankful a lot more.
Lisa, I love that you were able to ask her what she wanted. I’m sure it’s really important to help people just feel human! I’m keeping my eye open for ways to serve. It’s one case where I want to be a do-er, in response to being a be-er!
Being a do-er can be so refreshing, especially if (like me), you’re someone who’s used to doing a lot of (heartfelt) hearing. This column inspires me to get out into my city and do some things to help those in need. Often that will be people who aren’t necessarily financially impoverished, but in need of other things that I may have in supply (time, positivity, energy, knowledge).
Laurie, ‘being a beer’ sounds like a very refreshing experience.)
Great post. I also like the idea of asking someone what they really need or want and getting it for them. So much more personal when it’s practical.
Someone related a very interesting idea to my book group recently. We had just finished a short story about a homeless man being invited to dinner. One of the group members has started an “I O U” program with her kids to facilitate saving funds to donate to shelters and such (I think she got the idea from a magazine). The idea is to opt out of buying a luxury or extra and to take that money that would be spent and put it in a jar, or write IOUs for the amount. She had an example of her kids opting to have popsicles as home instead of going out for celebratory ice cream and giving up the money to the jar. Things like bypassing your morning latte or muffin or getting a movie at the library instead of the rental store can really add up. When I started to consider doing this with my kids, I was shocked at how much the little extras are. And by actually changing what we do and putting that money away, donating becomes easier and when you involve your kids, it teaches sacrificing for the good of others. I think this is a great way to put those in need more in the front of our thoughts and actions.
I love this idea, Corktree. I’ll have to talk to my spouse about it first. (Ha! Just kidding . . .)