A Worthless Act of Kindness

It was October of last year when my heart was broken over a woman begging at the corner...a woman whose name I knew.

After that moment, I took steps to fulfill Jesus' command to feed the hungry positioned on street corners. Instead of being well-intentioned, I would be ready for my next encounter with a cardboard sign.

A few weeks later, a dozen brown paper bags were stuffed with a New Testament, chocolate pudding cup, plastic spoon, pack of gum, peanut butter crackers, and box of apple juice.

That was six months ago. And I haven't met a person begging since.

It's like the needy were everywhere I turned and suddenly, they weren't. Vanished. Even still, each time I get behind the wheel, I catch a glimpse of the bag, reminding me.

On Monday, I got my chance.

I didn't see him until the light turned red and I stopped hard, first in line. Quickly, I rummaged between the front seats, rolled the window down and held out the bag--"Sir...". He thanked me, and then I watched as he tucked the package up high between a flat road sign and its metal post. I noted he had already placed a newspaper in the same niche.

As I drove to Target, I was thankful God gave me the chance to show someone His love.

A few hours later, we drove back across that same intersection.

The man was gone. The package was still there.

I must admit, I was more than a little disappointed. But one positive outcome is you can't feel too prideful when you realize you really didn't help the person.

Will I hand out another bag? Definitely. Even if the next person throws his bag away, too.

I know my God doesn't critique my actions based on whether or not they result in a successful outcome. He looks at my heart, my obedience to His word.

And, more importantly, I can rest certain that although that man did not read the Scripture I placed in his hands, God's word never returns to Him empty.

A worthless act of kindness? There is no such thing.

"As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
(Isaiah 55:10-11).