Kirsten Strawn
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Are You Grateful?
Recently I was reminded of the blessing of a warm cup of coffee. With a friend at my local Starbucks, the door flew open and a tall scrubby bearded man with filthy clothes and worn out shoes plopped down on the leather chair. Separated only by a small table and a different life experience I immediately recognized this God encounter.
A little apprehensive, I turned to the unfamiliar man slumped over and said, “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?"
The gruff man lifted his head when he heard my voice, his tender eyes met mine, and he nodded with enthusiasm, “Sure. I would like that.”
When I returned with the coffee he politely thanked me for the kind gesture. Delighted to make his day and surprised by his gentleness I asked, “So what brings you to this community?”
And that’s when I learned his story. He had lived in this area twenty-four hears ago before his parents sold their home. When his parents packed boxes to move across country Mark loaded a back-pack to walk a different direction. And he never stopped. What became comfortable became normal.
I discovered that Mark knew God’s Word by reading the Gideon Bible he stole from a motel. Aware that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty of his sin he confessed, “I like my beer, but I know God wants me to stop drinking and start helping people.” Sitting inches from him I heard the clarity of his mind, coherent of his past, and self-aware of his pride that prevented him from getting help.
I proclaimed, “God has a plan and a purpose for your life. You’re going to clean-up real well. God is going to use you in a mighty way to help others. Did you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit when you invited Jesus into your heart? You need to start taking care of what God has blessed you with. It’s a miracle you’re even alive. God has protected you all these years.”
Straightening up in his chair looking encouraged the weathered face of this forty-nine year old man grinned under his large crooked nose and said, “You have no idea what God has saved me from,” nodding as he reminisced in his thoughts, “I’m very thankful.”
Talking to this man convicted me of how much I had to be thankful for. We had taken two different paths, but God brought us together in a coffee shop for a purpose. When my friend stood up to leave, with a furrowed brow Mark looked into my eyes and asked, “Do you have to leave too?” Disappointment filled his voice, “I thought you could hang out with me all day.”
I chuckled realizing he was probably serious and extremely lonely. I said, “Let’s go outside.” As we walked toward the warmth of the sun I asked, “Can I pray for you?” He welcomed my prayer for protection, wisdom, and courage to get the help he needed. I recognized how his countenance had changed from when I first met him.
Delighted when Mark promised to go to the San Diego Rescue Mission I gave Mark a hug, filled with joy that God could use me, I hoped Mark would take the steps in the right direction to make a new normal.
As I walked away I realized this wasn't about God using me, but God using Mark to show me how much I have to be grateful for. A warm cup of coffee, a roof over my head, food in the cupboard, the beauty of a butterfly, birds chirping, my precious family and friends. I'm grateful for a homeless man who gave me a new perspective.
What are you grateful for? May God continue to pour His abundant blessings upon you and your family. He knows your every need.
Recently I was reminded of the blessing of a warm cup of coffee. With a friend at my local Starbucks, the door flew open and a tall scrubby bearded man with filthy clothes and worn out shoes plopped down on the leather chair. Separated only by a small table and a different life experience I immediately recognized this God encounter.
A little apprehensive, I turned to the unfamiliar man slumped over and said, “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?"
The gruff man lifted his head when he heard my voice, his tender eyes met mine, and he nodded with enthusiasm, “Sure. I would like that.”
When I returned with the coffee he politely thanked me for the kind gesture. Delighted to make his day and surprised by his gentleness I asked, “So what brings you to this community?”
And that’s when I learned his story. He had lived in this area twenty-four hears ago before his parents sold their home. When his parents packed boxes to move across country Mark loaded a back-pack to walk a different direction. And he never stopped. What became comfortable became normal.
I discovered that Mark knew God’s Word by reading the Gideon Bible he stole from a motel. Aware that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty of his sin he confessed, “I like my beer, but I know God wants me to stop drinking and start helping people.” Sitting inches from him I heard the clarity of his mind, coherent of his past, and self-aware of his pride that prevented him from getting help.
I proclaimed, “God has a plan and a purpose for your life. You’re going to clean-up real well. God is going to use you in a mighty way to help others. Did you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit when you invited Jesus into your heart? You need to start taking care of what God has blessed you with. It’s a miracle you’re even alive. God has protected you all these years.”
Straightening up in his chair looking encouraged the weathered face of this forty-nine year old man grinned under his large crooked nose and said, “You have no idea what God has saved me from,” nodding as he reminisced in his thoughts, “I’m very thankful.”
Talking to this man convicted me of how much I had to be thankful for. We had taken two different paths, but God brought us together in a coffee shop for a purpose. When my friend stood up to leave, with a furrowed brow Mark looked into my eyes and asked, “Do you have to leave too?” Disappointment filled his voice, “I thought you could hang out with me all day.”
I chuckled realizing he was probably serious and extremely lonely. I said, “Let’s go outside.” As we walked toward the warmth of the sun I asked, “Can I pray for you?” He welcomed my prayer for protection, wisdom, and courage to get the help he needed. I recognized how his countenance had changed from when I first met him.
Delighted when Mark promised to go to the San Diego Rescue Mission I gave Mark a hug, filled with joy that God could use me, I hoped Mark would take the steps in the right direction to make a new normal.
As I walked away I realized this wasn't about God using me, but God using Mark to show me how much I have to be grateful for. A warm cup of coffee, a roof over my head, food in the cupboard, the beauty of a butterfly, birds chirping, my precious family and friends. I'm grateful for a homeless man who gave me a new perspective.
What are you grateful for? May God continue to pour His abundant blessings upon you and your family. He knows your every need.
God's Word to Live By:
Isaiah 58:7
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Psalm 82:3
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 19:1
Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
Proverbs 19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
Jeremiah 22:16
He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD.
Isaiah 58:7
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Psalm 82:3
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 19:1
Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
Proverbs 19:17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
Jeremiah 22:16
He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD.
