Someone is Praying for Things We Take for Granted...

[Shimmie]

This morning on the train, I was in my own world and at one of the stops, a homeless man entered the door and sat down across from me.

I could have moved... there were several empty seats ahead of us that would have placed me far away. But I didn't, I did not move. I did not want to. I was humbled in shame for this man had absolutely nothing compared to all of the gifts and blessings that God has adorned upon me.

I remained in my seat and I prayed for this dear soul who was going 'no where', compared to where I was headed (to work) and how blessed I was. He wanted to be alone, I understood and I prayed for him.

He got up and got off of the train at the next stop. I followed him with my eyes and asked God to please bless and protect and heal him.

I sat there and was reminded that this dear soul was / is among millions of people who are praying for the things which I so selfishly take for granted each day. Things such as:

:Rose: Food (that I choose to eat)
:Rose: Water (to drink and to bath with and multiple soaps, washes to enhance my bathing and hygiene).
:Rose: Clothing (again, my choice)
:Rose: Shoes (more than I'd wear in a year)
:Rose: A home (Warm in Winter / Cool in Summer)
:Rose: Joy (I am happy even when I 'think' I am sad)
:Rose: Freedom (I do what I want)
:Rose: Peace (I am blessed with a peace that not even I can understand)
:Rose: Love Someone has always loved me.

I've never been without either. I've never known a day without food, unless I was on a fast or some type of diet to look perfect in my new dress for 'date night'

I've never been without water, ever

I've never been without clothing.

I've never been without shoes

I've never been without shelter

I have more tears of joy then tears of sorrow

I have peace, beyond measure

I've never been without love ... never, ever.

I never thought I took these things for granted, yet when I see the cries of others, their heartbreak and their tears, I bow my heart in shame and reach out to give them what I so richly have.

No matter how bad things may seen, there's always something more that I have to share with someone who is heartbroken and praying for something in my life, that I so often take for granted.

I'm glad that I didn't change my seat this morning. I could have but that would have been cruel and far too obvious. This man needed to know that someone exists that was not offended by his presence...sitting so close.

I'm glad that I didn't react only to be humbled by this man's presence and reminded that I am far richer just by seeing him and having the honor to pray for his needs and his protection. He truly meant no harm to anyone.

I'm glad for the lesson I lived today, a reminder lesson from God's heart.

For all we know, this man could have very well been an 'Angel' to me, unawares.

In Jesus' Name, Bless this man and others in his same status...Lord please give them food, shelter and most of all, please send someone to love them beyond conditions.

Amen and Amen...

 

[stephluv]

Wow look at God... we are studying Acts 3:1-16 and it speaks of the lame man who was outside the temples doors While Peter and John were heading to the temple at the hour of prayer Peter did not have anything to give BUT fr him to rise and walk in the ALMIGHTY NAME- Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Your post specifically made me think of v.4 "And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said Look on us"

Now getting deeper into this verse there is compassion as Peter did not ignore, turning his eyes away from the lame man as so many of us do... Yes us as I am also guilty of looking past the "lame" but Peter was not afraid to be caught looking at this man...matter of fact told him LOOK ON US! Look at me I see you and There was no pity but a need to deliver a great gift YES LORD

Just in the last few years i try to either give alms or pray! I've spoken to a few of the consistent ones who one does karaoke lol But whew the stories I hear and the gratitude they have for my few mins of compassion humble me! I even hug the guy at the Subway who i buy sandwiches for lol Hes given me life tips lol....hey learn from those who KNOW what not to do....We are so blessed that we take functioning limbs and a warm bed for granted...so my sisters thank the Lord!!! for he does delight in our weakness as for some it may be what it takes for us to come back to Him, our first love


Thank you for your post!!! And for seeing the homeless as Christ sees us all...

 

[Shimmie]

Wow look at God... we are studying Acts 3:1-16 and it speaks of the lame man who was outside the temples doors While Peter and John were heading to the temple at the hour of prayer Peter did not have anything to give BUT fr him to rise and walk in the ALMIGHTY NAME- Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Your post specifically made me think of v.4 "And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said Look on us"

Now getting deeper into this verse there is compassion as Peter did not ignore, turning his eyes away from the lame man as so many of us do... Yes us as I am also guilty of looking past the "lame" but Peter was not afraid to be caught looking at this man...matter of fact told him LOOK ON US! Look at me I see you and There was no pity but a need to deliver a great gift YES LORD

Just in the last few years i try to either give alms or pray! I've spoken to a few of the consistent ones who one does karaoke lol But whew the stories I hear and the gratitude they have for my few mins of compassion humble me! I even hug the guy at the Subway who i buy sandwiches for lol Hes given me life tips lol....hey learn from those who KNOW what not to do....We are so blessed that we take functioning limbs and a warm bed for granted...so my sisters thank the Lord!!! for he does delight in our weakness as for some it may be what it takes for us to come back to Him, our first love


Thank you for your post!!! And for seeing the homeless as Christ sees us all...

Oh My Goodness! @stephluv...

Your Post, look what happen. I didn't have any 'cash' on hand, just my 'cc's and bank cards and of course I couldn't do anything with those. Yet, this very scripture came to me today...

"Silver and Gold, have I none, but such as I have, be it unto thee..."

Stephluv, this is from the scripture that you shared above. It's is amazing to be on the same page of God's Word at the same time?

All I had to give were my prayers and to sit there and not move to another seat. I have to admit, the initial urge in me was to move, but I couldn't. I stayed there and I prayed for him.

Something interesting is happening here. @PinkPebbles began her thread sharing her concerns for the men who are not being ministered to and are yet so badly in need of it. God keeps showing me things confirming what the two of you have been sharing in this forum. Your posts are stirring up the need for prayers that are laid dormant and need to be revived.

The Tuesday after work, I was on the train (again), and there was another man who was also a lost soul. Stephluv, he pulled out a baseball cap and reached down inside of a tattered backpack and pulled out a bag with a bottle inside. He placed the bottle inside of his baseball cap , with the bottle still covered with the bag and began taking a series of small sips from the bottle. It wasn't a 'water bottle'

He did this twice until he came to his stop and got off of the train. As I watched him, I said a prayer for God to take care of him and to bless his soul.

For work, I commute from the County to the City and there are areas of the City where many homeless souls are found. There are several shelters, food centers and missions which aid them, however, there is something more that they need. They need love and food for their souls.

Somewhere in their lives, they became lost and withdrawn and avoided. Yet they are still the heart of Jesus who loves them and wants them to be brought back to life and into His presence.

It's not like I have never seen these precious souls before, however those of us who travel from the County are so absorbed in our phones and tablets, that we rarely look up and 'see' beyond them. I wonder whom will be the next one I see and pray for.

I believe that these are lost family members that someone's wife, mother, grandfather, brother or sister has been praying for someone to reach out and to help them in a way that they could not. To God be the Glory to help us reach them and bring them back to the Love of God.

Thank you again, @stephluv, God bless you for your insight and wonderful confirmation...and a gracious heart to be so kind to strangers and changing their lives for the better.

'Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have, be it unto thee..."

In Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.

 

[stephluv]

In Jesus' Name, Amen and Amen.

 

[PinkPebbles]

Shimmie stephluv thanks for sharing an awesome word.

Jesus washed his disciples’ feet to demonstrate that we should serve one another with humility and compassion.

 

[Shimmie]

@Shimmie @stephluv thanks for sharing an awesome word.

Jesus washed his disciples’ feet to demonstrate that we should serve one another with humility and compassion.

Yes....... He did. What a humbling word.