It seems that I, like many people who call themselves followers of God, had allowed spiritual pride and knowledge to build in me a propensity to look at a persons current circumstances of life and immediately determine both how they got there and to whence they would go. 

By God’s grace, he has humbled me enough to begin to lead our family in a new type of fundamental Christian expression; genuine love and compassion.

Last night, I was reminded of just how far God has brought us as we traveled to meet my folks for dinner.  As we left the freeway there stood a man in his fifties, he looked like every other guy with a sign at an off ramp.  But instead of thinking about how lazy (or addicted) he must be I just reached in my pocket pulled out a couple of bucks, rolled down the window and motioned him over. 

He said thanks without looking me in the eye and turned to walk away.  I rolled the window up not thinking much about it when my wife spoke up “Wow, that wouldn’t have happened a couple of years ago . . .”, she continued “so what if he buys beer”.

We talked a little about how thankful we are for the recent minor difficulties in our life that have allowed us to learn what it means to love our fellow man, we silently prayed for God to redeem his life’s story, and that was that.

I’m not sure what our friend did with the two bucks, and it really doesn’t matter.  What does matter is that God has changed my wife and I to recognize when He is standing alone on the side of the road in need. 

So the next time you see a man in need – care less about how he got there – or what he may do with your help.  After all, Jesus healed ten lepers, only one of them said thanks, and I bet at least one of them went and bought a beer to celebrate.

God is good. – Josh