I have had the honor of being able to travel and visit some of my families history. It has been amazing to be able to connect with my grandparents and family history. While returning from this family trip I had stopped to get something to drink at Wal-Mart. I noticed a huge white van unloading people and my first thought was, "Great more undocumented people, more immigrants, wish our border was secure...." Then immediately the Spirit nudged my heart, "What do you see over there?" I looked, I saw torn clothing, dirty arms and feet, no shoes, worn faces. Then it came to my heart, "Those ARE MY CHILDREN TOO" We get so caught up in thinking that we should only serve those in our own back yard but the reality is we often overlook even those in our own back yard because we have this false sense of security in this world. Those kids did not ask to come here, they are not responsible for not having clothing, food, or in a foreign country that people do not like them or will treat them nice. Those people are still God's children and as such we are commanded to serve and to love them regardless of race, of economic situation, what they believe, where they come from, what language they speak or how they will even react. The Lord said, "Go buy them shoes...." That's what I did. I bought shoes.
We have to meet people where they are. We have to learn to put aside our preconceived notions of who it is we can serve. We have to recognize that ALL people are deserving of the same love and respect.
Shoe or not to shoe. I chose to shoe. I bought shoes. It bought me an opportunity to go a little deeper with the Lord, empty of myself and realize that we are all in this together and we need people willing to serve others and meet them right where they are.
Love loudly.
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