GO AHEAD, BE A BLESSING
It has become common place to see men and women on the side of the road asking for money, usually at the turn light so you can’t miss them. Some even have signs that read “Veteran, need help” or “Homeless, anything you can give would be appreciated”. At the end of most signs, they add “God bless you”. Some of us see these people so often that we sometimes question whether they are actually in need or just trying to run a scam. We read the “God Bless you” and view it as manipulation so we don’t give.
This particular day, my sons and I were in the lane to turn left when we saw this woman on the side of the road. She had a sign but it was on the ground, all I could see was the last line, “God Bless you”. Although I couldn’t read her entire sign, the look in her eyes said all she needed to say. She wouldn’t hold eye contact with me and I could tell she was ashamed. I was moved to give to her. I looked in my purse and all I had was coins. The Holy Spirit said “Give her all you have”. Frantically, I began looking through my purse for more money. My son saw this and said, “You don’t have any more money, mom?” Instantly, I was ashamed that I had nothing of real value to give. Running out of time, I rolled down my window and motioned to her to come. My kids started to panic because the light was turning and the cars ahead of us were starting to move. They yelled, “Hurry, hurry!” When she arrived, I dumped my coin purse over into her hands and with tears in my eyes I told her, “I am so sorry but this is all that I have”. As she put her hands out to receive the coins, tears began to run down her face, she said “It’s okay, thank you so much”.
She and I looked into each other’s eyes, both crying, we said “good bye”. At that moment, we all felt the love of God through this moment of humanity. My sons, witnessing this exchange and experiencing this move of God, were confused. When she walked away, my oldest son said, “What just happened?” “She and I both just got blessed”, I responded.
I learned a lesson that day that my children were able to learn as well, “it’s a blessing to be a blessing”. So often, we dismiss the people on the side of the road as just beggars and in turn, we dismiss an opportunity to be blessed and be a blessing to others. Jesus said in Luke 6: 36 "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. He went on to say in verses 37-42 not to judge so we won’t be judged, not to condemn, so we won’t be condemned and to forgive so we can be forgiven. Lastly, He said to "give and it shall be given to us; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over."

That day, no one handed me a thousand dollars and I didn’t go home and find a check in my mailbox. But what I did receive from God was the feeling of His love and appreciation for following His Word. That to me is worth so much more than any amount of money I could receive or give.
So go ahead, be a blessing and watch God bless you in return.
By Shelley Walker