Remember this - a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully [can also be translated 'hilariously']. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."
I've befriended a homeless couple named Laurie and James. I take them to lunch, get them groceries, pay for their storage unit, and numerous other needs that arise. I have been stretched in my view of giving. The verses above talk about giving hilariously, giving that is almost absurd. I feel like that is what God has been asking of me in my friendship with James and Laurie.
And I want to be perfectly honest with you, I have wrestled. I've had all the "warnings" we hear about giving to the homeless ringing in my ears. I have been shocked by how deeply ingrained in my mind those 'cautionary statements' really are. And I thought I was out of that box. God knew I wasn't!
At one point a few weeks back, Laurie called with an immediate need (all her needs are immediate and I've learned to stay in the calm no matter if she's frantic). Honestly, I didn't want to meet it. But I prayed. And that's when God told me that if I will meet the needs that I can, He will give me whatever I need and ask for. I believe what He meant is that hilariously giving, giving to Laurie even when it seemed ridiculous, was going to break through the Kingdom of Darkness and release the Kingdom of Heaven over Laurie and James and over my family as well. Ok, Lord. Here we go! So I met the need at hand.
Then it got bigger! Two weeks ago, Laurie called and asked if I knew anyone with a cheap or free car. They had to get rid of the one they had (things were breaking on it left and right). They sold it and rented a dumpy motel room for a week and half, putting all their "belongings" from the car into the room. That's when I helped them transfer their stuff to storage and saw first hand the dire situation.
I sent out an email to people I know in the area asking for a car on their behalf. No word. One night I was up at 3:30 AM with Ella and was praying for God to meet their needs. I keep telling them that Jesus will meet their needs, sometimes through me and sometimes other ways, but He always comes through. So where was he right now? I was asking where the provision was for them. And clear as day Jesus said, "It's in your driveway!"
Oh whoa. And I wrestled again! We live out in the country. Heath needs the truck to get to work. It would be terribly inconvenient to have only one car living out here. It's not in that great of shape. It has an oil leak. Are you SURE you want them to have our truck??!!
"YEP!"
So I rolled over and shook Heath! "Wake up. I think we're supposed to give the truck to Laurie and James."
"Yeah, I think so too." And he rolled over and went back to sleep! Boys.
I called Laurie the next day to let her know we had a truck for them and to see if they would have resources to register it, etc. She was really excited. I told her we'd get it ready this week and meet them the following Saturday to give it to them.
So all week I was back and forth on giving up the truck. Some days I was really excited and other days I was wavering. But we were committed to giving it. Someone had given it to us a year ago and now God wanted it to move through our hands to another. That's how all our resources need to be. . . flexible and ready to be passed on to another in need.
Now for the good part: James is a harsh guy. They are both older, maybe late forties, early fifties. But life has not been easy and hardness of heart has set in. Whatever crosses his mind usually comes out his mouth! So I was fully prepared for his response when he saw the truck to be something like, "You're giving us THAT piece of junk?"
I got to the parking lot before Heath did. I was chatting with them and shared how someone had given us the truck and told them the story of how God told us to give them the truck. Then Heath pulled up. James looked at me and said with tenderness and shock, "Is THAT the truck you are giving us?"
"Yeah, is it ok?"
Tears started rolling down his face! I was NOT prepared for his response. He was beside himself. On and on he went about how this is exactly what they have been hoping for but couldn't afford, and how did we know, and are you SURE you are going to give it to us?
Wow. I can't tell you how amazing the moment was.
James ended up not being able to stay in the shock and left before Laurie, leaving her to sign the papers. As we said goodbye to her, I gave her a huge hug and said, "Laurie, I love you. And Jesus really loves you."
And my favorite part of the whole event came next, "I'm finally beginning to believe it!"
And Heaven breaks through the darkness!!
Then she looked at me with tears in her eyes and a gigantic smile on her face, "I think I need to start coming to your prayer meetings! Can you come pick me up on Tuesday?"
Oh my word. Friendship evangelism. Loving them into the Kingdom. Showing them the extravagant love of God and breaking through the Kingdom of Darkness to bring the abundant life and hope of Jesus. There is nothing better than this moment.
As I was sharing this story with a friend, she reminded me of a Reese Howell's quote that goes something like this, "Don't pray for someones need unless you're willing to be the answer." That's burly. But I believe that is what God is teaching me in this relationship. This is one moment of glory in the span of months of friendship. I know this isn't the end. It's not the end of her need, it's not the end of the glory. In fact, as I was writing this post, she called to ask me if I'd be willing to meet one of her other homeless friends named Tam. Oh Jesus, help!
So pray with me for James and Laurie. Pray that I will continue to listen to the Lord and continue to obey, not for my glory but for the glory of God and salvation of my friends!
And I want to be perfectly honest with you, I have wrestled. I've had all the "warnings" we hear about giving to the homeless ringing in my ears. I have been shocked by how deeply ingrained in my mind those 'cautionary statements' really are. And I thought I was out of that box. God knew I wasn't!
At one point a few weeks back, Laurie called with an immediate need (all her needs are immediate and I've learned to stay in the calm no matter if she's frantic). Honestly, I didn't want to meet it. But I prayed. And that's when God told me that if I will meet the needs that I can, He will give me whatever I need and ask for. I believe what He meant is that hilariously giving, giving to Laurie even when it seemed ridiculous, was going to break through the Kingdom of Darkness and release the Kingdom of Heaven over Laurie and James and over my family as well. Ok, Lord. Here we go! So I met the need at hand.
Then it got bigger! Two weeks ago, Laurie called and asked if I knew anyone with a cheap or free car. They had to get rid of the one they had (things were breaking on it left and right). They sold it and rented a dumpy motel room for a week and half, putting all their "belongings" from the car into the room. That's when I helped them transfer their stuff to storage and saw first hand the dire situation.
I sent out an email to people I know in the area asking for a car on their behalf. No word. One night I was up at 3:30 AM with Ella and was praying for God to meet their needs. I keep telling them that Jesus will meet their needs, sometimes through me and sometimes other ways, but He always comes through. So where was he right now? I was asking where the provision was for them. And clear as day Jesus said, "It's in your driveway!"
Oh whoa. And I wrestled again! We live out in the country. Heath needs the truck to get to work. It would be terribly inconvenient to have only one car living out here. It's not in that great of shape. It has an oil leak. Are you SURE you want them to have our truck??!!
"YEP!"
So I rolled over and shook Heath! "Wake up. I think we're supposed to give the truck to Laurie and James."
"Yeah, I think so too." And he rolled over and went back to sleep! Boys.
I called Laurie the next day to let her know we had a truck for them and to see if they would have resources to register it, etc. She was really excited. I told her we'd get it ready this week and meet them the following Saturday to give it to them.
So all week I was back and forth on giving up the truck. Some days I was really excited and other days I was wavering. But we were committed to giving it. Someone had given it to us a year ago and now God wanted it to move through our hands to another. That's how all our resources need to be. . . flexible and ready to be passed on to another in need.
Now for the good part: James is a harsh guy. They are both older, maybe late forties, early fifties. But life has not been easy and hardness of heart has set in. Whatever crosses his mind usually comes out his mouth! So I was fully prepared for his response when he saw the truck to be something like, "You're giving us THAT piece of junk?"
I got to the parking lot before Heath did. I was chatting with them and shared how someone had given us the truck and told them the story of how God told us to give them the truck. Then Heath pulled up. James looked at me and said with tenderness and shock, "Is THAT the truck you are giving us?"
"Yeah, is it ok?"
Tears started rolling down his face! I was NOT prepared for his response. He was beside himself. On and on he went about how this is exactly what they have been hoping for but couldn't afford, and how did we know, and are you SURE you are going to give it to us?
Wow. I can't tell you how amazing the moment was.
James ended up not being able to stay in the shock and left before Laurie, leaving her to sign the papers. As we said goodbye to her, I gave her a huge hug and said, "Laurie, I love you. And Jesus really loves you."
And my favorite part of the whole event came next, "I'm finally beginning to believe it!"
And Heaven breaks through the darkness!!
Then she looked at me with tears in her eyes and a gigantic smile on her face, "I think I need to start coming to your prayer meetings! Can you come pick me up on Tuesday?"
Oh my word. Friendship evangelism. Loving them into the Kingdom. Showing them the extravagant love of God and breaking through the Kingdom of Darkness to bring the abundant life and hope of Jesus. There is nothing better than this moment.
As I was sharing this story with a friend, she reminded me of a Reese Howell's quote that goes something like this, "Don't pray for someones need unless you're willing to be the answer." That's burly. But I believe that is what God is teaching me in this relationship. This is one moment of glory in the span of months of friendship. I know this isn't the end. It's not the end of her need, it's not the end of the glory. In fact, as I was writing this post, she called to ask me if I'd be willing to meet one of her other homeless friends named Tam. Oh Jesus, help!
So pray with me for James and Laurie. Pray that I will continue to listen to the Lord and continue to obey, not for my glory but for the glory of God and salvation of my friends!
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