"My Children Are Hungry" (My Conversation with God) Part I.

It was a Tuesday and I was travelling for work. Driving the same route I often did. Stopping at the same places I often stop. Ignoring the same things I often ignore.  Except, today? I wasn't ignoring them. There were two travellers that were standing off to the side of the exit ramp where I was sitting at a stoplight.  And I couldn't ignore how cold it was outside. And raining. Or, how tired and hungry they looked.  Hungry.  And then God spoke to me.

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I should probably back up a little here... Over the course of this month, I have been praying for God to show me something new. Something I hadn't noticed before. I was desperate to get back to that place of communion with God where everything I did was surrounded by the certainty that God was guiding my steps.. Now, don't misunderstand me..Of course that's what I want all the time. But with successes? with failures? with open doors? and others that get shut? It can be easy sometimes to forget about the spiritual realm and instead put the weight and glory of it all on your own shoulders.

Or at least it can for me.

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So back to the story....

God spoke to me. "My children are hungry"

'I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:36-40

Me: "But God, I don't have anything but a small orange"

God: "Then go get something"

Me: "But God, I don't have any money"

God: "Really? What about the money that arrived last night?"

Me:  "Oh..... my Christmas money?? But God? I was going to use that money to buy one of those awesome hats made in Uganda? You know....empowering the people! (as I made a fist and thrust it towards the sky, sure God would want me to spend my money on such a good cause...and such a cute hat)"


God: "But today? My people are hungry."

Me:  "Oh...Okay, God.  I'll go get them something to eat"

I want to make a note of something that I am not proud of here...I really do argue with God like this.

I wish I recognized the direction of God and never had my own ideas of He means...but that's not reality. I am thankful for a God full of mercy and grace who looks past how slow I can pick up on things and chooses to use me despite my flaws.

So I drove over to the nearest fast food chain and bought nicer meals than I ever even get myself! (Thanks to the prompting of the Lord) and as I am waiting to pay, God starts talking to me again.

God:  "Give them the change"   (Of course, the change worked out perfect for each bag to have $2.   Of course.)

Me:   (Still thinking my plan is better) "God, we don't give cash because we don't know what it gets used for"
(I am quite ashamed by how smug and self-righteous these words sound)

God:  "I am not asking you to determine what the gift will get used for. I am telling you to give it anyways."

Me:  (head hanging, ashamed of my own pride)   "Yes, Lord."

So  I drive away. Two bags filled with bacon deluxe burgers, large fries, extra napkins, ketchup, cream and sugars and $2 each. And two large coffees sitting in my console.

I was all ready to obey God fully.

And I got to the corner where the two gentlemen had been standing to find them....

Gone.

Gone?! Really God? As the delicious smells of  bacon, greasy fries, and coffees start making me dizzy, I feel the need to remind God that I am fasting.

"Umm hi, God? What do you expect me to do with all this now?? I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but I am in the middle of fasting all these deliciously amazing foods!"

God:  "They are not my only hungry children today"

Me:   "Are you really asking me to go looking for hungry people??"

God:   "Yes. I am."

To Be Continued.....


Read Part II Here