Artist: Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform “Homeless.”
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thess 5:5
Acts of Kindness & “Angels Unawares”
Each day when we awaken, we have a decision to make: To think and act as a child of light or a child of darkness. In sequence we have to decide: Will I do the will of God, or will I do whatever I will? Even as the minutes and the hours unfold in sequence, we have to choose: obedience or rebellion. Many believers walk around with their heads in a cloud of self absorption, while steadily proclaiming to love the Lord. Jesus was not self absorbed, He stayed in communion with the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke and did as the Father directed Him. It was His choice and His delight to do the will of Father God, and we are to do the same in all things both big and small. Does the day require you to give or share a smile, greeting, or to say thank you, or help someone in any way? If you are able to do so, then do so. It is written:
Proverbs 3:27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Several years ago I held a part time job in the mortgage industry that required that I travel from Delaware to New Jersey. The trip lasted 3.5 hours each way. I used the time spent on trains and buses to study for my MBA. In the process of going from one mode of transportation to another, I crossed the unavoidable path of the homeless who stopped to sleep wherever their weary bodies could find a small measure of comfort and safety. Everyday someone would ask me for money, so I decided to get rolls of quarters whenever I went to the bank, and kept the change in my pockets. One day while on the train platform in Philadelphia, a woman inquired if I had some change to spare. I reached into my almost empty pocket, and pulled out all its content. When I opened my hand, it contained not only change, but lint and empty gum wrappers. As I started to remove the lint and gum wrappers, the woman said to me with no small measure of gratitude: “Oh, I’ll take the lint.” I was touched by her request, but gently let her know that though the gift was small it would be clean. I was happy to give her the change without the lint and litter, but I did not expect what happened next. I looked down and started to turn. My gaze shifted only briefly, but the woman was gone. Within seconds she had disappeared from the platform. It made me pause and grateful that I shown her respect, and I wondered if she was an angel. It is written:
Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
God the Father, Cima da Conegliano, Circa 1510-17. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It is important to show kindness this day and everyday, because God is always watching. Right now, can you think of one thing that you did today that benefited someone other that yourself? Hmmmm.
© 2012 Verneda Lights. All rights Reserved.
The video “Homeless” by Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo was posted on Youtube.com by popozki on Jan 4, 2011. Verneda Lights and E-graphx Omnimedia have no ownership in this video. It is used for educational purposes only.
