He seemed to appear out of nowhere. The icy wind whipped his long straggly hair, as he hesitated beside our car.
His glance held a question: should he pass by or wait? Since the light was red, The Preacher waved him on. With a nod he zoomed by, no hat in sight, thin jacket and a brisk gait was all that warmed him from the biting cold.
What struck me the most was not his gaunt frame, or the weathered face, but the shiny red Target shopping cart he pushed. It was filled to overflowing with all his worldly possessions.
Everything was brown, black, and navy blue like his world. From what looked like a bedroll, to lumpy stuffed pillowcases, they were the colors of muck and hopelessness.
He was a bold reminder of what we have and what he did not. We were across the street from our destination, the mall. He was probably on his way to the next intersection, to set up shop where the homeless frequent. We were ready to spend, spend, spend on the remaining Christmas presents on our list.
He was just hoping to encounter some generous souls, and to receive a little cash for a hot meal or warm drink.
I should remember every day the blessed life I lead. Yet it is often those chance encounters that pull me up short and smack me in the face. I have a family that loves me, friends who care about me, a fun job, and a warm loving church.
Still, daily I rush headlong from one task to another. One job completed then I’m onto the next in a whirlwind of motion.
I collapse at the end of the day, try to get a good night’s rest, then start the merry-go-round all over again in the morning. This busy time of year I rarely look at a sunset or stop to marvel at the sun glistening off the ice crystals clinging to my trees.
The truth is—I have a comfortable house, a hall closet stuffed with warm winter coats, and a reliable car to drive with the most awesome heater. And my modest income makes me richer than ninety percent of the world’s population.
I must open my eyes to the blessings that stack up and overflow from my own shopping cart.
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Luke 11:41-”Turn both you pockets and your hearts inside out and give generously to the poor; then your lives will be clean, not just your dishes and your hands.”msg
-Make a blessings list today.
-Bless someone this week.