One of my readers sent me her experience with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the poor after she read Monday's post. Here is her story.
My friend was going to school in San Francisco. Each Saturday morning while driving to school, she always was caught at the same stoplight, where "an older homeless man who was dirty with a long beard" stood.
"I started making him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for those Saturday mornings. Some days I would add a granola bar or a piece of fruit. He was grateful. Then one day he wasn't there. Then the next week he wasn't there. I never saw him again."
She continued, "After reading your blog, it makes me think that I was ministering to him in some way. Small gestures can make a big impact on people's lives I think. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich touched you recently and it has touched my life too. I have prayed for that man, always wondering what happened to him. There's more to a sandwich than meets the eye!"
Jesus teaches in Matthew 25:35-40 - "I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me." The righteous will then answer him, "When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?" The King will reply, "I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me!" (Good News Bible)
Jesus wants us to know when we care for those who are "least' in the kingdom we are showing love to him.
Prayer: God, increase our awareness to all in the kingdom with whom we come in contact. Occasionally we offer something tangible like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and other times, smiling, opening the door or taking time to listen can convey your love. Open our hearts to receive more of your love so we can give to others. Amen.
Wow! Your story inspired another story--how cool is that? You and your reader-friend both remind me that the simplest gestures can serve as worship and obedience to bless others. Small gestures can have a big impact. Yes, indeed.
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