Lord, I pray that whoever reads this will be blessed by learning how my selfish attitude towards others hindered the good work I should be doing for You out of faith and love. Thank You for Your Grace, and for opening my eyes to see how selfish I've become! In Jesus' name, Amen
Yesterday I stopped at a local fish & chips restaurant for lunch. I looked forward to take time out of my busy schedule to eat a good meal and to read the newspaper...with no interruptions, etc... I noticed a man in the restaurant with a shopping cart by his side and some belongings in it...He was just sitting there looking at people. I thought to myself that he is probably homeless. I took a place to sit at the far end of the restaurant so as not to be bothered by anyone. After I received my meal and began eating it, the man with the shopping cart came all the way over to my table and just sat down a few seats from me. Oh boy, I thought, he's going to ask me for money or something, so I purposely ignored him, and wouldn't look at him, say hi or anything... All I wanted to do was read the news, eat my meal and not be interrupted... He just sat there, like he was waiting for something... After about ten minutes of me ignoring him, he tapped on the table to get my attention as if he were in a hurry...I looked up at him and said "Yes?" He said he didn't mean to bother me but was wondering if I would share my fish with him... Here's where the other bad part of me came out... I looked at him and thought to myself "he sure looks like he's been eating pretty regularly..." I judged him in my mind! How wretched have I become? But them in an instant I gave him some of my fish and tartar sauce... I watched him eat it in a rapid manner. Immediately I thought, wow, I'm going to ask him if he would like a full meal and buy him lunch. Just as I was going to ask him that, he said he had to go, and he asked me if I would hold the door open for him so he could take his things and catch the bus outside. I did as he asked, he shook my my hand and thanked me for the fish, and he boarded the bus and was gone...
God really taught me a lesson in that I have been very selfish and greedy. I have not opened up my life to confront others and be a friendly voice, to just say "hi" to a stranger, etc... I have judged others, and that is wrong and sinful...I have not been a good witness all the times that He has brought people to me and opened the door for me to teach others of His love for us...Had I not been selfish with my time, and talked to this man earlier, I could have had the time to witness to him about our great Lord and Savior, could have provided him with a full meal, and not just a piece of fish, and could have hopefully prayed with him. Instead, my selfishness hindered what I could have done for God's glory...But, I thank God for speaking to my heart about my selfishness, for sending this man to me, and for forgiving me of my sinful acts and thoughts. This is a lesson that I will never forget, and I praise God for His loving kindness, forgiveness, and patience with me. What a great God we have!
I don't even know the man's name, but I will remember him in my prayers and I ask that you will too. I just wanted to share with you how a believer such as myself can fall short of God's will.
"Surrounded by Your Glory what will my heart feel, will I dance for You Jesus, or in awe of You be still. Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall, will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all..."
..,The LORD showed some or should I say taught you a good lesson,,,,