So
Yesterday I was at Chick-Fil-A with Shawn, Ashton & Taylor. And, like usual, we said a prayer before eating.
Only, I got a little messed up in the prayer. Not as in, messing up the words. Rather, in giving thanks for "this food".
This food consisting of nothing special...a chicken sandwich & fries.
But, what messed me up was this. About the time I was going to say "thanks for this food", I remembered where we were going that same evening...to feed the homeless. IE those without food.
FOOD - the staple of life...they don't have any. No matter their story - they have NO FOOD.
So.
As I got to the "thanks for this food" part - rather than being the words we always say...it was in the moment of thinking about those that have NONE. That got to me.
For maybe the 1st time in a long time - I really meant "thanks for this food". Saying it wasn't a routine...habit...the right thing to do. No, this time it was really from a place of gratitude.
Then later that same evening...we went to "feed those that have none".
107 of them to be exact on this night.
I'll introduce you to a few of them...
Joe - a guy in his mid 20's. His hair - not really in dreads, more like crumpled mess. "Where ya from Joe?" Norfolk was his answer. I couldn't help but wonder "what's his story"? His last words as he walked out the door "I'm just trying to stay warm man. Thanks for the food".
A Family of 4. Husband, Wife & 2 sons. The youngest boy - maybe about 8. Hardly tall enough to reach the drinks being served. So to reach out to him the best we could at that time - we gave him TWO (2) cookies instead of the normal ONE (1). They looked like completely normal people - everyday people...only they have No FOOD to eat.
Dan. He came up to me & asked could he talk with me. He's 40. He's been out of jail for 2 weeks. Already has a job...trying to recover from "a bad mistake". He was humbled to the point of being embarrassed. He's "looking for a better job...needs a break".
Or the guy who ate extra beans - because they are "the real nutrition for the cold"...
Or the guy who said "they were the best beans he has ever eaten there".
Or the lady who said the same about the potatoes.
Or all the people who said "they had never been served BBQ" there before. It was "one of the best meals they had in a long time".
Or the man who drank 2 cups of tea - "to keep hydrated".
They came by & thanked us "for the food".
They offered their "bless you's" to US!
So
Today, as I thanked God for my food - I prayed for those that have none.
Realizing - my prayers won't feed them...we have to do that. We are the answer to the prayers.
I will go back & help feed them again...them being "those without food".
Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do [it] to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. - Jesus
peace
b
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