The Man with the Wrinkled Cardboard Sign

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Hebrews 13:1-3 (NIV)

The light turned red. A man holding a folded-up cardboard sign stood between lanes of cars and looked into an open car window. When he shuffled to the median next to me, I remembered there was a bag for such a situation in my car. 

            My hand reached behind my seat to try to find it in the nest of cloth shopping bags. Miraculously, I grabbed it on the first attempt. 

            I kept watching the traffic light to be sure it remained red. My arm held the bag out to the man in weathered clothes as he neared me. 

            “Thank you,” he said. He looked at the bottle of water and granola bar and back to me. 

            “That man… He said… I have to go lie down.” He couldn’t finish.  

            My heart broke as tears glazed his eyes. 

            “I am not a bad person. I don’t steal.”

            We locked eyes. The light changed and we moved apart forever. 

            Why did the driver feel he should berate the guy who hadn’t yelled, been disrespectful or violent? But he voiced upsetting words to an already forlorn fellow. The consequences of his actions would never be known to him but devastated his target. 

            All the way home, the sadness and tears of the anguished soul burdened my heart. No matter what caused him to stand on streets hoping for handouts, he was still a man loved by God. He didn’t deserve the abuse. 

            The homeless aren’t always treated badly but more often ignored. Overlooked as though they are nothing. 

            No matter the circumstances people find themselves in, we can be kind and show the love of Jesus. 

            That man and I will probably never see each other again but I hope our brief interaction gave him a bit of encouragement and hope. 

            At home, I started filling plastic bags because I never know when they will be needed. Of course, a smile and kind word are readily available without a bag. 

Loving God, show us who needs a kind word, smile and encouragement. Guide us to help those who are in difficult circumstances and to not look down on the trampled.

Amen

Seeing Clearly

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature^[ God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature^[of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Philippians 2:1-7 (NIV)

White dotted mounds of green glitter in the sunshine. Gleaming insects flitter above the lake. White spots on slender stems wave in the breeze near the water. Masses of emerald on tall trees quiver with the wind. 

            Nothing in my view toward the lake is clear. Since cataract surgery, my distance eye’s clarity declined. Only glasses bring far away objects into focus. 

Since I remembered my crystal-clear sight after LASIK several years ago, I assumed the outcome would be the same. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Eye drops and glasses help but do not solve the problem. Of course, I long to see better but am learning to adapt.

            As I look out toward my lovely view, I know I am not seeing its actual beauty but only a blurry image. 

            What else have I missed? Do I observe the pain and hurt in eyes around me? Do I discern who could use a hug or word of encouragement? Do I neglect to share with people who are searching for Jesus? Do I pass by someone when I should stop to check on them? None of these would improve with eyeglasses. 

            Perhaps busyness, selfishness or lack of confidence cloud my field of vision and distract me from what God wants me to do. 

            When I pray for God’s direction, the eyes of my heart can see more clearly with love and compassion. 

Father, help me to truly see and care of those I come in contact with including those I know and those I meet briefly. Guide me to follow your will.

Amen

Caring for Plants and People

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NET)

Orchids, spider plants, succulents, peace lilies, basil… fill areas of my patio. Plant stands hold several varieties. Large pots contain foliage reaching towards the ceiling. Smaller ones have a variety of herbs. Christmas cactus wait for winter to sprout blooms from each pointed leaf. Aloe fan out from clay pots. 

            My attempts to provide the right water, sunlight and nutrients often fall short. A few hardy specimens need a small amount of water and aren’t picky about sunlight. 

            Once a week, orchids soak for several minutes in a tub. Then they drip before returning to their containers. 

            Aloe require an occasional drink. Herbs dry quickly so need small but frequent waterings. 

            Ceramic flowerpots with a mixture of foliage pose a problem. Some of the plants wilt while the rest seem fine. Do I water for the wilted ones or would that be too much for the more hardy ones?  

            I enjoy my assortment of greenery but caring for them takes time and discernment of what they need. Sometimes the results are not the best. 

            A wide assortment of friends and family members, require time and discernment for how to nurture and love too.  

            A few independent ones only need occasional encouragement to thrive. Most require a more regular schedule of care. However, a smaller number demand constant affirmation and guidance. 

            Because we interact with others, we need to realize every person is a unique creation.  God designed different temperaments, gifts, and abilities. 

            We can’t expect everyone to be just like us or the way we would like them to be. 

            But we can love, guide and care for them like Jesus. Help them live according to God’s will and not ours. 

Heavenly Father, how amazing that you have created distinctive individuals. Show us how to bring out the best in each person as we use our own gifts and talents.

Amen