Even A Smile Will Help

It's been awhile since I've taken the time to sit down and write. Mostly because I haven't felt quite motivated to share everything rolling around in this crazy little head of mine. I guess I'll start off with something simple- I wouldn't want to blow you away with anything too deep and profound since you all haven't been exposed to my thoughts in a good while! :) 

I was driving home from spending Thanksgiving day with my family. Lost in thought and probably singing along to the radio while sitting at a red light, I looked over at the homeless man standing on the corner hoping for something, probably anything, and tears filled my eyes. I was suddenly overtaken with the realization that I don't pay attention to how good I have it. I grumble and complain about the smallest things. I get bummed because my family doesn't do big, exciting things for the holidays, or because I don't even have a BIG family to celebrate with here in Texas. I whine because it's too cold or too hot. I don't have 'anything' to wear. My hair is too frizzy today. My car is too old. I want....I need.....nothing in life is ever quite right. But then I saw him limping along the side of the road holding his sign that said something....I don't even remember what now. The point is, I realized in that moment that it's quite possible that I have everything in comparison to that man. Perhaps everything except the appreciation for all that I have. It was a cold evening and he was standing there quite chilly, I'm sure. I was sitting in the heat of my car....a luxury I'm sure he hasn't owned in quite some time. I just spent the day with my family....something he probably didn't get to do. Does he even have family to talk to? I ate a wonderful meal with more leftovers than could possibly be eaten before going bad....when was his last hot meal? I have a closet full of clothes plus boxes of more in my storage unit....does he own more than the clothes on his back and the contents of his backpack? My heart was broken for that man. And then just yesterday I saw a man on another corner with a sign that said, "Even a smile will help". Even a smile? Really? Wow....he's so desperate for something, anything, even just a smile. Everyone deserves at least a smile yet he must not get even that if he felt it was necessary to write it on a sign.

We live in a society that is focused on self. We forget that there are other people in the world that we could help by doing the simplest things. I often forget that the world doesn't revolve around me. I'm tired of focusing on me and what pleases me and what I want. Life is so much more than that. I know everyone has their opinion of the homeless and why they are where they are, but that's a whole other thing I won't even go into right now. What I'm getting to by saying all of this is that I want to help. I want to make a difference and let them know that they are valued and cared for- these people who spend their days and nights on the streets of Austin. I want to set my selfishness aside and go love on some people that may have not felt loved in a very long time. Even if I just go and give them a smile. It doesn't have to cost anything except some time and willingness to hang out with people who almost always have a really incredible story that they are just dying to share with a listening ear. Anyone want to join me? Seriously. I want to do something for these men and women. They deserve it. Why? Because I am no better than they are and if God loves me and cherishes me- broken, sinful, messed up ME- then He must love and cherish them too. They deserve to know and feel at least a little piece of that love. If you have any ideas how to love and serve these broken people- or if you want to reach out with me- please drop a note, a call, a text, a comment, etc and we'll go give away at least a smile or two.