Love that melts the darkness
Outside korean grocery was an australian guy who used to go to the same church I go too for awhile but he fell away....we dont know each other well but as we stood outside the grocery store, he started to share about his life, whats been happening, the problems his facing, a court case next week, that may send him to jail/community work. He was waiting for the "soup van" by st vincent de paul who give out free food at night to the homeless and starving people. So we stood outside in the cold of
As I walked into the grocery store, i felt a compulsion, Gods calling...I just had dinner with my caregroup and here by this guy travels very far from Hoppers Crossing by train and tram to get soup and meat pie. So I started to grab some stuff, bread, spam, bulgogi in can, chips, bananas, instant noodles....and hoped that I can find him somewhere later to give to him....
As I stepped out of the grocery, I didnt really know where the van was, so i started to walk in direction of where he was going....as i approach the van...it was like a movie, very dark, cold and foggy and the only lights were coming out from the van. They had only 10mins to give food and go...i was trying to look at faces but it was soo dark. Finally I saw him walking away with some food and i approach him to give him the shopping bag. He was very touch and wanted to speak to me bit more so it happen that there was a church footstep near by so we sat outside the church in cold and spoke for awhile, the time past half an hour.
He slowly shared to me more detail of what’s happening. He was a drug addict, his got hepatatis C, his facing jail or community work next week, his got a daughter that he hasnt been able to see. His dad used to be in jail and he hardly saw his dad too. We talk about God, I listened and at times lost for words, so all I can do is encourage him to go to the basics of Gods love for him. He shared with me how many christians in church younger than him, his 37yrs old but looks like 27yrs, try to guide him but never know about his life or background, he'd normally reply with a smile. I felt a pang, because its true, people like giving advice, giving guidance but never listen never really show love in a practical way instead of head knowledge...I encourage him to be humble, God uses people of all age to speak to him, and if its Gods word take it, and if its not Gods word leave it. He told me what speaks to him most is not preaching but action and when he meets someone like this, he would do anything for that person out of love because he can see the heart.... i knew exactly what he meant. We learn to love one another, we speak it, etc but when it comes down to application and really showing true love from action, are we able to do it? I too fall short at these times...He started to tell me how appreciative it means to him because he didnt expect me to come to him again. And he told me when he hit rock bottom, he repented turn back to God and ask him to show him 3 christians in one day, 6 came that day. So i believe God really loves his children no matter shape, background, culture whatever....I really pray and hope that all will go well for him with his health, family and future. I shared with him about the 40days purpose driven life book briefly and we parted, gave him another hug and told him that his important to God....I believe if I can just do a small thing that will help the person turn to God, change their course of life, I'd do it, it makes a huge difference just under hr and a bag of grocery would help too!
In between I dont normally hug people that much but recently been learning to :)
