“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Proverbs 31:8-9

As the busy Mama of a toddler, it’s tough to hit the bathroom solo, let alone go on an outing! Y’all, the struggle is real! So when Mom and Dad asked me to dinner, and said my brother would join us, I declared Daddy daughter time in our household and raced for my keys. Since there were only a few hours left before Nai’s bedtime, we headed over to Clark Burger. For months I drove past wistfully thinking of sitting under those expansive umbrellas, eating slowly, enveloped by city sounds, and now, we were here.

Our conversation, punctuated by bursts of laughter, bounced from the guilty pleasure of reality TV to news, and all the mundane stuff which somehow feels infinitely more interesting when you’re with family. I looked over between bites of the veggie burger and then I saw him, sitting, face sunken from fatigue, worn pale skin, brown eyes pleading for us to see him.

His whispers for spare change lost in the euphoria of a balmy Friday summer night. Dad, I said, “we have to help him.” “Of course,” he nodded in agreement. Before I knew it, I was digging in my purse for money. As we finished our meal, I kept my eyes not only on his lanky frame, but the people passing. No one stopped.

Too often, even Christians approach issues of poverty, systemic racism, exclusion of folks who are differently abeled, etc., by simply walking along, content to espouse flowery words of love once a week, while pushing them aside Monday – Saturday.

But friends, people are in pain, and more than ever they need the radical love of Christ and compassion. They may never open a bible, but they will meet you. Your life is a testament to the Father’s love. Let’s not turn away because it’s too tough. God is calling us to infinitely more.

Jesus loved, healed, and delivered people everyone else shunned – the tax collector, those with physical challenges and relationship issues (remember the woman at the well?). This is what we are called to do through our daily walk. “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42).

As we handed him the money, he thanked us profusely, and then did something I will never forget. He looked toward heaven and praised God for this unexpected blessing, nearly in tears. For the past few weeks, as I reflect on our meeting, I am reminded of another scripture passage, Matthew 25: 35-40:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Let us cling to love instead of judgement, extending empathy before condemnation. God freely gives us His love not to confine it inside of four walls, but to share with everyone.

How do you give back in your community and put your faith into action? 

Stay Informed & Involved:  

I love Sojourner’s magazine, it’s a progressive Christian publication and website which looks at all that is unfolding through eyes of faith and social justice.  I recently discovered Christian Left, another online space for liberal Christians.

National Coalition For the Homeless (donate and get involved).

Back on my Feet, ” a national organization operating in 12 major cities coast to coast, combats homelessness through the power of running, community support and essential employment and housing resources.”