School Daze...by Michelle Huster

It's that time of year again! School has begun and so life starts a more structured routine for school age children and their parents. I just love the rows and rows of crayons, paper, notebooks, glue, and every other school supply you can think of at your local Target or Office supply store.

Last week, Faith and I had a "girls day out" of back to school shopping. Our main goal was a new backpack and a few pencils and paper. We went to three different stores and found everything we needed. Something else I found that afternoon was not school supplies but a hard look at myself and my heart. As we went to a new store, I could not help but notice all the street people hanging out in front begging for money or food. Some would be standing but mostly sitting with all their worldly possessions in a small grocery bag. By the time we had reached our third store, it seemed as if they were EVERYWHERE!!! I began to hold Faith's hand a little tighter and walk a little faster. Then fear set in and I became angry that these people were interrupting my day with my daughter. The Holy Spirit quickly convicted me of my arrogant, superior attitude and I became ashamed of my fear and the truth He had revealed about myself. I asked the Lord right there and then to forgive my attitude and to give me courage. Just then, a long bearded man approached us wanting "spare change." I told him no. When Faith and I entered the store, I pulled her aside and we talked about what had just happened. I shared with her that there are people in this world and right here in our neighborhood that don't have a place to call home. Most of the time it is not their fault and even if it is, God commands us to love all of our neighbors and our enemies, those with homes or not. I told her that I didn't give him money because that is not always the right answer. We talked about what we could do and decided to buy a bottle of water and Snickers bar. As we left the store, he had already moved on to another store front. We looked up and down the sidewalks hoping to find him. We promised to give the water and candy to anyone else that day who looked like they needed it.
Some of you may be thinking, what a great teaching moment but the truth is I was the one learning a new lesson. I have been praying for God to open my eyes to the down and out of our community. On that day He showed me!!! I had not noticed them before. It was no coincidence that the previous night I had been at a Bible Study entitled, "Sharing God's Heart for the Poor." This past week, I have started to discover God's heart for the poor through His Word. In Psalm 68:5, God is described as "A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His Holy dwelling." It is only by His mercy that I am not standing out in front of a store holding a grocery bag of all my worldly possessions. As God's daughter, He has clearly laid out His desire and will for me to care for the poor. Not just by writing a check but really getting to know who they are and loving them! My prayer now is that He will show me specific ways to reach out to those in need without fear and with compassion that only Christ could give.

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. --- PROVERBS 14:31