Touching Lives

A dear friend of mine made today’s scripture so real to me recently. Not only did she touch the life of a total stranger, but whilst witnessing the event, my heart was deeply moved by her kind and gentle spirit. I left her home allowing the scene to replay in my mind. I would love to share it with you. May the Lord bring more and more truth about Himself into your heart too.

We are a group of ladies who get together every second week for a wonderful morning of Bible Study. We always have time to catch up and share a cup of tea and some delicious eats before we start, but what I really appreciate about this group is that everyone comes to study the Word and learn from our current study material.

This week, after we had finished, I was one of the last few ladies to leave and we were saying our goodbyes to our friend (let’s call her Jean) at her front gate which leads out on to the street. Whilst we were chatting, a destitute lady approached us. My immediate reaction was one of weariness, as I anticipated that she was going to ask for money. Sadly, in South Africa, we see many homeless people, and eventually one tends to turn away from them as it seems impossible to help every person who is in need of money, food or a job.

Jean, whose home it was, turned to the lady and asked her what she needed. She was utterly miserable and covered in what looked like a painful rash. She shared some more details with us and, in response to her request for food and money to buy a bus ticket home, Jean asked her to wait while she went back inside. She came back with some food and cash for a bus ticket. Next Jean said, “Come, we are going to pray for her.” And we stood around her, touched her and prayed for her, while tears streamed down her face. The amount of cash given to her turned out to be the exact amount she needed to buy her bus ticket. She left us with encouragement, food, and the means to get home.

What I witnessed was my friend’s compassion, gentleness, acceptance, mercy and love towards a stranger who turned to her for help. She didn’t question her story or the reasons for being where she was. She just helped her. And I realised something. What good would it do to have this amazing Bible Study for a group of ladies but not show care and compassion for a destitute lady who turned to us for help?

Our study for that day had been about Jesus’ first miracle, where He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). Jesus blessed the bridegroom and his guests with more wine because He is the God of abundance (2 Corinthians 9:8). How can we, as receivers of His abundance, not share it with those who so desperately need Him?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for showing me how You reveal Yourself to the sick, homeless and hopeless through Your children. Help me to always follow Your lead when helping others, particularly those who aren’t easy to love and accept. Your gentleness touches lives. May I be an instrument in Your Hands by showing Your mercy, graciousness, patience and kindness to others. Amen.