Rich Dixon invites us to join him in thinking about helping.
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I’ve been thinking quite a bit about the homeless guys I wrote about last time.
I still don’t know what Jesus would have done, or what I should have done, when I encountered them. They were maybe 20-30 yards off the trail, and it’s not like I can get off my bike and walk over to them. Is that an excuse. Or a reason?
I cranked along that trail today and didn’t see the same group. However, I did come across a man dragging what looked like everything he owned on a rickety two-wheel cart. It was really hot, and I thought about stopping and offering him one of my water bottles.
I checked quickly – one was empty, the other had maybe a couple of swallows remaining. Seemed like offering a nearly empty bottle of warm water might be almost insulting, so once again I passed by.
Do good intentions count?
If that fellow was thirsty, my good intentions didn’t do him much good. But I just couldn’t think of a nearby spot to get fresh water.
As I finished my ride, I kept hearing Jesus say, “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”
I think the seemingly insignificant moments in our lives are actually a big deal.
I couldn’t help feeling like I ignored Jesus because I couldn’t figure out a way to refill a water bottle.
