Friday, March 1, 2013

Little is Much

Love never fails.
"I couldn't believe he was just sitting there," the woman remarked to her husband as I was leaving the store. "He ought to be arrested."

Outside the store, the world was filled with loud booming music. The closer I got to my car, the louder it became. A large man sat on the trunk of the car next to mine in the parking lot. Worn and bedraggled, he sat slumped over a radio, scowling. His shoes banged against the old beat up car in time to the music. 

"Good morning," I greeted, putting my groceries in the trunk of my car. "Do you need help?"

"What?" he asked, sliding onto the pavement beside me. 

"I asked if you need help," I repeated. 

"Oh," he chuckled. "I thought you said you needed help. I'm glad to help."  

I handed him my laundry detergent to lift into my trunk, then handed him a bag. "Thanks," I said, grinning, "Always glad for help. I thought you might be locked out of your car or need a ride or something."

"I'm locked out, but my friend's coming. Thanks, though.  It was real nice of you."

"I'm a Christian. Glad to help if I can."

He nodded. "Me, too. Got saved in prison. I just got out."

I smiled. "That's great! Prison is rough. I go to a women's prison on Monday nights with my husband to have chapel service with the ladies. I'm glad you're out. Are you doing okay?"

He was gracious and turned off the music so I could hear him better. We introduced ourselves and I enjoyed visiting and munching granola bars with him while we waited for his friend. 

As I was leaving the parking lot, a rather new looking truck backed into my car as I turned into the lane. A well dressed elderly gentleman climbed out. He began yelling angrily, bitterly, at me. I'm not sure what all he said because I quickly stopped listening, exchanged information and assured him my husband would be glad to talk to him if he had anything else to say to me.

One man had scared me, belittled me, hurt me. The other man had helped me, encouraged me, taught me. So often our eyes search out the rich man with all his possessions, knowledge and honors. Our eyes look past those who appear to have nothing to offer. 

God has chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He has promised to those who love Him.

Little is much when God is in it.