A Sense of Humour

June 8th, 2012
Last evening, my husband and I ventured out for another test I require in order to get closer to booking the surgery I need. 
It was a CT scan, and the long story short was that there is a debate over whether or not I need to have the contrast dye in order for the test to be accurate and viable.  At 8:30 in the evening, there was no one around to ask, so I was sent on my way with the promise that it would be sorted out, and I would be re booked quickly.
So on our way we went.  Out to the "infamous" parking ticket kiosk.
Lo and behold, upon arrival, there was a gentleman standing next to it.  It was apparent that he was homeless, and he was asking for change. He was wearing a well used winter sweater which seemed out of place for this time of year. This was a different man than I had encountered several days ago. 
I told him I would just be a minute and then I would try to help.
I fumbled through my change, and dug out as much as I could.  It was a pittance, but this kind soul appreciated it so much.  He was polite, pleasant, and extremely humble.  All the things I strive for.  When he put out his hands to take the change I noticed that they were covered in thick, dirty skin.  Not the hands of a worker, but the hands of a sufferer.  I was moved by the state of his hands.  He thanked me, and I told him that I would pray that God would richly bless him.  He said "God Bless You" and I smiled and slowly walked away. 
When my husband and I arrived on the level where our car was parked, I realized that it takes a great deal of courage and humility to stand in front of people and ask them for change.  I'm sure some will mock him, jeer at him, belittle him, or worse ignore him.  This man was devoid of all pride.  This looked like a sin that he had no trouble with.  He and pride had separated company a long time ago.  I could tell by his hands.
Moved by his humbleness, my husband and I prayed for him in our car before we left the garage.
We fed our ticket into the machine, and started to advance when the gate lifted.  A middle age, reasonably dressed man yelled "stop" and approached our car.  I thought twice about this because he was quite imposing, but I rolled down my window anyway.  He told me he had just been released from hospital and was on his way back to London and needed 8 more dollars to get home.  I know what you're thinking, and I have heard this one before.  I put all the pieces together. 
     -Sprinting toward the car even though he was just discharged from the hospital at 8:30 pm at night - HMMM!
     - no belongings in a bag
     - relatively healthy looking and well dressed
I felt strongly that this was a scam, but if I gave him some money, it would give me an opportunity to talk to him before I was on my way.  I gave him the only money I now had left.  $10.  As I slowly parted with my last bit of change I said to him "I am giving you this money, and you are going to be accountable for the way you spend it.  God knows exactly what you need, and He is faithful to supply it.  He knows your name, and loves you just the same.  So I pray you will make wise choices."  I told him as well that I would pray that God would bless him.  He seemed quite eager to be on his way.....to the next car behind me!
What!  No change....$2 back?
He had what he needed and was still asking others? 
So, my husband and I started driving down the street and once again, I asked if we could pray.  B. said a wonderful prayer for him, and I prayed that throughout this evening, if this gentleman used the money to get "high" that God would speak to him, again and again.  That God would penetrate through the haze and make himself known to this man.  I prayed that whenever either of these 2 gentlemen required prayer for whatever situation they found themselves in, that God would bring them to our minds, and we would be prompted to pray.
So we drove towards the Gardiner Expressway and stopped at the final red light before getting onto the highway.  I looked up and chuckled quietly to myself.  We were about 3 cars down from the front of the line when I noticed an older gentleman, dishevelled, with a used paper coffee cup in his hand.  He approached the first car....nothing.....the second car....they didn't even make eye contact.  The light was still red...and then he approached us.  At this point I had to go to the the Bank of B. for funds since I was now "tapped out". 
I asked the gentleman to wait one moment, while my husband dug deep into his pockets and grabbed all his change.  I apologized that it wasn't much, but he genuinely seemed to appreciate what had been given to him. 
I told him I would pray that God would bless him and to remember that God knows his name and loves him too.
We drove up the ramp and now proceeded to pray for the 3rd gentleman.  I finished my prayer asking God that someday I might see each of these men in heaven.  That would be my heart's desire. 
So B. and I had a chuckle.  We started to wonder if we would be approached on the highway......etc.

What I wasn't expecting was what that experience taught me about myself.

The first gentleman reminded me of Jesus in some ways.  The worn and used hands, the humbleness and meekness, the gentle spirit. The pain of being mocked, jeered at and ignored.  He was easy to love.
But, I didn't give him my all.  I gave him a little of what I had.
I often do this with Jesus.  I hold back some for me.  I make sure I get "my" down time.  I take care of "my" priorities first.  It was after this gentleman had left that I realized I should have given "him" everything I had.  Just like I should with Jesus!

The second man made me feel uncomfortable.  Was he genuine?  Did he really need the money?  Was I being "taken"! 

Helping this man became more about pride, my pride!  I wanted to be obedient, but I didn't want to look like a fool.  It was easier to be bold with my words when I was frustrated.  If I had given everything to the first man, there would have been nothing left for him.

The third man was a seasoned veteran of the streets.  Who knows what his eyes have seen.  His life has not been an easy one, and he probably knows no different. 

I realized that it could just have easily been me standing there with a cup in my hand.  I could have been the seasoned veteran of the streets.  Was he there because he was down on his luck.  Was he mentally ill, and the system had failed him?  These are situations I could walk in tomorrow. 

So I learned that I need to give Jesus my first offerings, not my left overs.  That I need to look at all those that God sends my way with the humility and compassion that He has for them.  And I need to be thankful for where He has placed me. 
In the end, it became less about the money, more about the obedience, but the gems of what He has shown me after the fact is nothing short of a miracle. 
3 different men, 3 different lessons, one loving God!
What started out as a bizarre string of circumstances ended up being a lesson for me.  I am so grateful for His eyes to see and His ears to hear the truth.  Especially when it pertains to me!