A Stranger's Eyes
Copyright 2000, 2001 by Michelle Jones

I'd like to share with you a true story, though the names have been changed for anonymity. Please be sure to read all the way to the end, or you'll miss the best part. 

Placing her children in the car, Sarah went about her normal morning routine. This beautiful fall day seemed just like another ordinary day, but in fact it would turn out to be one she'd never forget. 

She buckled everyone in and started the car. On their way into town, just to run a few errands, they would stop at the post office to pick up their mail. Listening to the Christian radio station on the way, the trip was quiet and serene.

The drive into town took about 20 minutes, time enough for Sarah's morning talk with God. She thanked Him for her family, and all the blessings they'd received. In preparing for the Christmas season, she reflected on the gifts still needing to be purchased as she drove the route to her favorite discount store. The holiday shopping was almost done; she just needed a few more items.

The sun was shining and the air was cold and crisp. It was turning out to be a beautiful day, though the temperature had already dipped down into the low 40's. As Sarah drew nearer to the store, she started to think about the items she needed to purchase. She thought about picking up a few extra snacks and some juice for the kids because her supply at home was running low.

Just a few blocks from the store, Sarah had her mental shopping list complete. But that was about to change. While stopping at the next traffic light, she noticed something different; something had caught her eye. She took a second look and realized it was a man walking along the intersection of that busy highway. 

Hunched over and obviously chilled from the cold air, he was one of "those" people, obviously begging for a handout. Sarah first thought to herself, 'He must be hoping for cash, probably just to throw it away on liquor or cigarettes." But she continued to watch him, as the traffic light seemed to be frozen in time.

Within moments, her heart was warmed. She realized that whatever his intentions or life stories were, he was still just a man needing help. Tears began to well up in her eyes, as she began to think about what she could do. She had little money to spare, and knew cash was not the answer. 

Her mind jumped to her list for the store, and realized she did have something to share; food. The weekly trip to the store had now become a mission. She anxiously reached the store and parked her car quickly.

She encouraged her children to follow quickly, telling them "We have something really important to do, we need to hurry." "What mommy?" replied her 5-year-old, as he followed her footsteps the best he could, "What are we doing?" 

As Sarah explained to her children about the man on the street corner, she hurried through the store, looking for a few items he might enjoy. She was looking for something not only to feed his stomach, but also to brighten his day and bring a little joy to his heart.

As they purchased the items and returned to the car, Sarah begged God "please Lord, let him still be there." Hoping she had not missed the opportunity to reach him, she drove quickly back to the intersection. Too many cars were in the way, she couldn't see if he was still there or not. 

Finally, the cars moved on and revealed the man was indeed still there. She gathered the items she had purchased for him and placed them into one of the store bags, tossing the other items that she had bought for her own family onto the floor of the car. 

The light turned green and the long line of cars was moving now, but she was ready. As she drove closer to him she feared having to stop the car in the middle of traffic. With just two more cars in front of her, the light finally turned red, as the first car squeezed through just in time, leaving her car second in line.

The moment had come; she reached for the bag with one hand, while rolling down the window with the other. As Sarah looked up to locate the man, she was shocked to see he was standing right next to her car. Though taken a little by surprise, she uttered the words, "Excuse me sir, this is for you!" 

She called him sir intentionally; she wanted to show him respect, from one child of God to another. She wanted to give him some dignity, even in this humbling moment. The man came closer to the car and peered into her blue eyes with his. He seemed to be very old, the wrinkles in his face carved deep. His white beard was wiry and long, but his smile seemed genuine.

It was at that very moment, that Sarah felt she was looking straight into the eyes of Jesus. So much so, that she was almost speechless. It was as though Jesus was standing right in front of her, in the body of this strange man. 

As the stranger's eyes peered into hers, with the bright sunlight glowing all around his face, this brief moment was etched permanently deep into her soul. Running into Jesus was certainly not what she had expected, and of course no one would probably believe it. She kept thinking to herself, 'this just couldn't be possible, this is just a simple man on the street corner.'

Sarah couldn't pass up the opportunity to tell him that God loved him. In that short exchange, she must have said it 3 or 4 times. He thanked her and asked for her name, telling her his was Bobby. She explained to him that she had just picked up a few items that she thought he might enjoy. His gentleness and grace touched her heart, as he thanked her repeatedly.

As she drove away, she still couldn't shake the feeling that she had just looked into the eyes of Jesus, yet only in the eyes of an unknowing stranger. What an incredible gift she had received, one she would never forget.

Entertaining Angels

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

The Widow's Mite

Luke 21:1-2 (NIV) As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

I truly believe, this is one of the greatest things in life, to share whatever you have with those who are less fortunate than you. I guarantee you will always be blessed when you do. It's a wonderful example of living a better life... not by receiving and having more, but by giving and therefore sometimes having less. Though surely it is only temporary, for Jesus also said, "Give and it will be given to you..." Luke 6:38 (NIV)

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I know, I have tears in my eyes too!