While viewing a video on Facebook last night, my heart was ripped out and my soul convicted.

It was the story of a Homeless man who speaks about his experience living in a big city, as people walk by, busy with their lives, heading to work, heading home … as he shakes a cup in the humiliating hope that someone will eventually take pity on him- a Human Being.

This is his job. His life … To shake a cup.

It is Humbling … To have others walk by you, talk about you, assume they know you…

When all that you can do is shake a cup.

At one point in his explanation, he tears up referring to a man who once called him insulting names and to whom he simply replied, “God Bless You.”

He depicts the repentance of the passerby who later came back to him, apologizing and explaining that he had had a bad day. Immediately, this homeless man forgave him then saw the passerby hand him thirty dollars for food and a place to sleep for the night…

As he tells his story of being fully aware of how other people perceive him… he cries a little and says “sorry” for weakening as he talks about his pain…

Anyone watching can tell that 24/7, all day, every day this man “holds himself together” as best he can.

His goal… every morning at six o’clock … is to shake a cup and pray it fills.

When attempting employment, he is torn down by his appearance and for his lack of useful tools like a phone … He says that he would take anything … any work at all … he wants to work … but how can he, when no one can reach him?

This sincere gentlemen, forced me to think of the countless blessings I have so often disregarded as unimportant. The people who care for me, the warm bed I sleep in, my education … all of my needs -provided for, since the day I was born …

I have all of this, and more.

And here stands this man. This kind, sweet, humble man with hopes and dreams, just like me … With passions and struggles … just like me. With pain and sorrow far beyond my comprehension.

A man who only has two options in life… to give up on himself and on God … or to shake a cup.

Through humiliating act after humiliating act … He chooses the better portion.

I beg you,
DO NOT allow this story to simply remind of why you should shed a tear for humanity. DO NOT let this blog sweep over your soul like a lullaby that touches your heart, then instantly fades away.

This man is everywhere. Men and woman just like him are sleeping on benches and streets, asking God where He is … Right Now!

Find him. Find her. See them. Show them!

Care enough to look into their eyes and tell them there is a Savior and that His name is Jesus!

I am tired of listening to other’s “political reasoning” as to why money cannot be given to homeless people, just so that they can have an excuse to do nothing!

These hurting people are HUMAN BEINGS! With lives that deserve our attention!

Give them money, give them your time, give them clothes, a blanket, a granola bar … Just DO SOMETHING!

Human Contact is what we were created for … Christ ministered through His human connection with the rich, with the poor, with the diseased, with the hopeless …

So … Get Over Yourself, Get Some Compassion, and Get Up! Find Someone Hurting! And ask the Lord how to specifically Lessen that Hurt!

May we never become so PRIDEFUL as to think that this man – without a job, without a home, without a family, without a friend … Is in any way, beneath us. May we never forget, that if not for the GRACE OF GOD there we would go!

Changing the world is so much easier than we make it … Fight injustice and Care for people …in sincerity …in truth … and in action.

Hold nothing back and I promise, you will see the world burst open like a flower … ready to receive all the wonders God has been waiting to pour out upon it.

We are favored to show favor. Blessed to be blessings, honored to bestow honor.

So, GO. DO. In Jesus’ Name!

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Romans 8:19 NIV

Catch the Wave,
Victoria