Click For Audio Version
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10 NKJV
The Finest Gifts
When I first met her, Becky (name has been changed) was a 57-year-old homeless woman on the streets of a small city. She had never held a job, and after the death of her parents, seemed unable to fend for herself. She had lost the apartment her parents had rented. Becky took to the streets sleeping on the steps of a church.
We brought her food and printed out Bible verses, and prayed with her.
Over time, she met another homeless woman with a tent and things slightly improved for her.
One day, I mentioned in passing that my elderly landlady was no longer renting and I would soon need to find another available room to rent.
Becky looked at me a moment and said, “Or you will be homeless too.”
I agreed, in a sense, this could be true.
She hurried away.
Later, before we finished up our week’s ministry, Becky reappeared with Diane, another homeless lady she knew. Diane had both a rickety bike and a pup tent they shared in the woods.
They grabbed my hands and said, “You always pray for us, now we’re going to pray for you!”They prayed a heartfelt prayer for me to find a room to rent. Then, they told me that they were sharing Diane’s pup tent but would make room for me too, if I needed it.
I’ve never been offered a finer gift in my life than this one that would cost them all of their small comforts. It came with so very much love.—–
Similarly, some months later, a homeless man watched me get dropped off (by my ministry partner) armed with a plastic bag of handouts. He assumed that bag held all of my possessions and that I too was homeless.
“You just missed the church people,” he said. He was referring to the van that came through with food for the needy from one of several churches that distributed. “These look really good,” he said as he generously handed me one of his two cupcakes.
I fought my tears and thanked him.—
Lastly, at another location, a quite elderly homeless man, handed me a truly beautiful, hand-carved bamboo cross. He said he had made it from the bamboo stalks growing around his tent and campsite in the woods. “I made it for you to thank you for all the years you’ve prayed for me,” he said.—
These three finest gifts were given to me in friendship, compassion, and love.