Bags of Grace

For the past couple of days my Upper Room has been passing on some gems of knowledge. Stemming back to last week Thursday it seemed as if every other day gave me encouraging words to pass along to PYBT because I've surprisingly been at a loss for words. But today's Upper Room didn't talk about coping with death but rather a scripture that I've struggled with Matt 25:35-46. This is the passage that talks about taking care of a someone in need (hungry, tired, sick) is the same as doing it to the Lord. This has been hard because I live NYC circa the 21st century. I have "regulars" on my train begging for money. It was so bad that I was able to give the United Homeless Organization speech verbatim. It's hard to want to give money to someone in need when you don't know if this is their hustle (for drug/booze money), their job (there were reports of people making more in a year panhandling than some CEO's), or their earnest plea for help.

But today's words gave me hope and more importantly, INSPIRATION. I think I'm going to incorporate "Bags of Grace" with some organization that I'm in. Bags of grace are literally bags full of things to help someone get off the streets and on their feet. They've included personal hygiene items, clean underwear, a few pairs of socks, non perishable food items, bottle of water, a prayer card, and information on social service agencies in and around the area. Some bags even have a public transportation tokens (in my case a metro card). Most bags are done and distributed through churches, but the gentleman who wrote todays daily word says he comes some in his car to give out to those on the streets he sees in need.

It's hard sometimes to be a Christian when we live in a world plagued with so many things that can turn us skeptical, and even question/loathe the mysterious works of God. But it's extremely comforting to know that there is a solution out there no matter what.