I've been asking God to put people in my life that I could help.  Last week as I was coming into the office I met up with a woman who obviously had been through some hard times.  Asked how she was doing and she said, "not good."  I asked what was wrong and she let me know she was starving.  She was very skinny, one eye had crust coming out and looked way to the right.  She hadn't had a bath in a while and my heart broke for her.  I told her we had a food pantry and we'd be glad to give her food.  I also gave her money to go down to Hardess and get a meal.

The following morning it was pouring down the rain and I passed Sheila walking.  I turned around and picked her up.  I know a pastor shouldn't be with a woman by himself, but my heart was breaking for this skinny, nasty woman walking in rain.  She needed a ride to McDonald's to put in a application for a job.  McDonald's was 4 or 5 miles.  I took Sheila there and gave her some money for a biscuit.

The next day she came by the church and rang the door bell.  Sheila stunk and her hair was disgusting.  The one eye had some kind of funk coming out.  She asked for money for another meal.  I gave her the money and invited her to church.  We knew each other by name and she felt comfortable enough with me to share some of her situation.  (Once again, I've shared some of my time and money and she is allowing me to share my Savior)

I didn't realize that Ann (our church secretary) had dealt with this lady before.  She had taken her home after giving her some food.  She lives in an abandoned trailer with no water or electricity.  She just found it and moved in.  No wonder she stunk and her hair was so nasty.

I saw Sheila again later in the week and found out she walks every where she goes.  Told her if she would come to church this Sunday I would buy her a bike.  Didn't really figure she would come.  Sure enough, Sunday morning she was here and I hadn't bought a bike.  Asked her to meet me Monday at 12:00 and I would have her bike.  As I rolled up Monday she was sitting in the church parking lot.  As I got the bike out of the truck her one eye lit up like a child on Christmas morning.  She hugged me and thanked me repeatedly. 

Let me be honest with you, my heart was broken!  I am so blessed and this woman was ecstatic about a $75.00 bike form Wal-Mart.  My bill at Outback is more than that.  I was humbled by this pitiful looking woman.

As I got into the truck my wife was crying.  Just hurting for this woman.  Realizing just how blessed we are.

If you're having a bad day, go help somebody.  If your miserable, go help somebody.  If you think life stinks, go help somebody.  Why help somebody?  Because if it were you in trouble you'd want help.  In fact, Jesus put it this way:

Matthew 22:34-39 
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. [35] One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: [36] "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" [37] Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'