The Smell

I want to preface this blog with: I am not God, I don't have His love, compassion, or capacity for grace. I know that's always an interesting way to preface any blog, but I think you will understand why. I want to make it known that I am no greater, better, or have any greater worth than everyone else and I was definitely made even more humble today.

I was working on my stuff for Crave, and I had a gentleman come into the office who just from his appearance you could tell had fallen on hard times. He was asking for a Walmart card to be able to go get some food, because he said he hadn't eaten in days. At our church we don't have Walmart cards to give out to people who need assistance, that would be awesome if we did. So I told him that I could give him the cash I had, and we could give him some food out of our food pantry to help him out. This man was more than amazingly grateful for what we were able to give him which to my own selfish standards wasn't really even enough to get me through a few days, but he treasured it like it was gold in a paper sack. I asked him if I could pray for him, and after we prayed he asked me if he could give me a hug, and really didn't wait for a response and just grabbed me and gave me a hug like a man who had just seen his brother after 10 years of absence. I was moved by his gratitude, and thanks but his effect on me came 15 - 20 mins after he left. I was back at my desk continuing to work on my stuff for Crave and I noticed a subtle scent that seemed a bit off, and after trying to figure out what it was for a few minutes I realized that it was my new friend, who probably hadn't showered in who knows how long because he doesn't have the resources to do so, and when he gave me a hug had given me a reminder that when we are the hands and feet of God it will have an effect on us. That smell of him was a blessing to me because it helped me to remember that one, I'm a few bad months away from being in that exact same place, and two, that when we are the hands and feet of God we're going to be effected by it.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
Matthew 25:40

Live in chaos, pray for brokenness, and seek to know nothing apart from Him,
Drew