Use my hands, use my feet. .

This picture is forever etched in my mind, and it is one that I hope will always be there.

When I see this picture I think of the book "The Shack".  The part where God says to Max, "I'm especially fond of that one."  I can't help but think God IS especially fond of this gentleman as well.

Many of us have our treasures laid up in our nice homes, nice cars, nice clothes all those material things that seem to matter so much.  Others of us have our treasures laid up for us in heaven, at least that is what we like to say and believe, all the while still coveting our nice "treasures" we have in our "things".

This man is carrying his "treasures" around in a small cart.  All his earthly belongings fit into one small cart and still when our eyes met on this particular day, he was able to smile at me.  His eyes had a bit of a sparkle to them.  I can't help but believe, he understood where his real "treasure" lies.  I can't help but believe that he knows that God is in fact especially fond of him.

My heart has always had a soft spot for the poor and homeless.  Ever since I was a young teenager I have been known to make a U-turn, run through a drive through and deliver something to eat or a warm drink to that person standing on the corner holding the sign asking for our help.  I have always taken that sign very personal.  Like it was really asking for "MY" help.

If I am going into the city, I always make sure I have extra change or even $1 bills in my pocket, ready to drop into the plastic cup that will later be used to fill with something nice to drink, or maybe even filled with soup or something to eat.  

I don't question what will be bought, I don't put limits or expectations on the money I give.  I don't care if they buy food, or alcohol with that money.  That really is none of my business.  What is my business is the pull on my heart to give openly.  To be the hands of Jesus.

I know many of them choose to be where they are.  I also know many of them are there because of poor choices they have made in their lives.  I also know there are those who make more than I do in a year off of people like me.  It is absolutely not my place to judge that.  It is my place to love and respect and give what I have and am able to give, as He has called me to.

I see people like this particular man sitting on the sidewalk, and wonder to myself. . ."what if that is Jesus in the flesh?"  

Then I think about the people Jesus surrounded Himself with.  It wasn't other Kings or the wealthy.  It was the poor, the sick, the people no one else wanted or loved.

Than I think. . . .I could be where they are, in a minute, I could loose all my earthly possessions and have nothing.  I could be sitting on a corner begging for just a few cents to buy something warm to drink.

I am thankful God has placed within my heart a special place for the poor, helpless, and homeless.  I pray that it will always be there.  I pray that my intentions stay pure and when I bring them food, money, a drink or yes even sometimes a hug, that they feel the pure love of God.  Because it is totally not about me, or even about them.  It is absolutely a God thing!

Everytime I hear this song. . . I pray that I can be the hands and feet of God, showing love to all, even and especially the least of these.