“Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison,
and did not minister to You?”
(Matt. 25:44 NKJV)
I was hungry…
…standing on the street corner, out of work, begging from a cardboard sign, but you were repulsed and looked the other way. And then you drove to the fast food restaurant and ordered take out.
I was thirsty…
…and in a story telling of how I have to walk 5-6 hours a day just to fetch water for my family that may be contaminated with disease. I was dying of thirst but you mindlessly drank from your designer water bottle.
I was a stranger…
…knocking on your door for help and guidance, but you deliberately chose not to answer. I visited your church but you never welcomed me.
I was naked…
…and in a commercial, living in a third world country, undernourished, you could see my bones sticking out from the lack of life’s necessities, but you shamelessly ignored it and quickly changed the channel to a shopping network.
I was sick…
…suffering from a multitude of obvious mental illnesses, but you shrugged off my symptoms and went about your own way. I was in the hospital, dying of a disease, but you didn’t come to cheer me up because you were too uncomfortable and didn’t know what to say.
I was in prison…
…grieving over what I had done to others, feeling lost and alone, but you never came to see me. I had multiple tattoos and piercings so you thought it beneath you to visit me. And besides, you were too comfy on your cushy couch.
Oh, Lord…forgive me!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me
that makes you sad, and lead me
along the path of everlasting life.”
(Ps. 139:23-24 TLB)
May the Lord bless you…Lynn
Thank you. for this reminder–desperation often looks unattractive.
Oh, my, yes. You’re so right, Margaret. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I deeply appreciate it. Blessings to you! ❤
Love the unlovely. This is a heart-wrencher, and a reminder that many of us don’t want. Thanks for bringing it to light Lynn
Oh, it is, isn’t it, April? Just touches so deep. And thank you, sweetie. Appreciate your comment. ❤
These are hard words to live by, but words deeply ingrained in me by my parents. All were welcome in our home. My brother’s mental illness taught us that those scary people on the street are somebody’s beloved child and their world is terrifying. I’ve had people ask me why I am helping this person or that. Why do I feel the need to take the risk to let a stranger into my home…..and it all comes back to this. I hear these words…”When I was homeless, hungry, scared, thirsty….you did not….” And each time I have been the richer for it.
Oh, sweetie, that has had such an impact on your life. Praise the Lord for that element of it. May the Lord truly bless you for what you do. Thank you for stopping by. Love hearing from you. ❤