The man in front of me could not afford the $45 worth of groceries in his cart. Twice his card declined, and he politely told the cashier he’d have to come back “in December”. I glanced at the cart he abandoned as he left the store. It had real food in it: milk, oatmeal, fruit. I felt stupid waiting to pay for the cheese sticks and crackers for my kids, awkwardly saddened that this man walked away while the cashier just went on with her business, briskly asking how I was, did I find everything all right. Maybe she sees this every day. I swiftly went outside, looking for him, not really knowing what I would say except I wanted to somehow pay for his food. He had vanished. I wondered what he would eat tonight. I wondered if four gallons of milk was just for him. I wondered when he’d return for his groceries, “in December”. It was already the first day of December.
I contemplated much during that day that many people are hungry in their souls, too. They are not so obvious around us, no “declined” written on their sleeves, but they have not the Bread of Life, the Living Water. I marvelled at how my awkwardness extends not only to my wallet but to my lips, continually withholding the gospel. In truth I cannot offer Food without somehow exposing that their hunger exists, and that Jesus is a friend of hungry sinners. And therein lies the rub: my open wallet exposes their empty one. And wine and milk that may be bought without money and without price are put off for another time, for another “December” we are sure will come in time again, another year. Christmas always comes round again. Such thoughts that are uncaptive run amok.
For a man or woman spiritually hungry, I imagine the tinny Christmas music and reflective lights in the windows must seem a bit trite. The sights and sounds that are supposed to be a semblance of the joy of heav’n and nature singing somehow deepens the darkness of the shadows they cast instead. Do we who are fed to the full care to give the sense of Christmas? I’m afraid unless we recognize the much we are given, we will be lackluster in our giving. Unless we understand the Bible and its sense, we won’t be ready in any season to cause others to understand the whole message of this season.
The reason for the Christmas season, after all, is Easter. For those with ears to hear, they will never thirst again. Will we withhold Water just because we do not know the state of hunger pangs and wish not to offend those whom claim to be full?
I wish I had offered to pay for that man’s grocery cart. And that I could at least have given Him a tract too, that his soul might be nourished. Somehow, we both went away a little bit hungry today.
The man in front of me could not afford the $45 worth of groceries in his cart… http://t.co/iI4CaMFp via @sharethis
Amazing and convicting post! Thanks for sharing!
it’s a difficult one
biiiiiiiiiiiig hug
Wow. this post touched me. We just finished a big food drive in our community for the Christmas season. Sometimes people are skeptical about why people would need extra help like the food bank or a Chritmas food hamper. We should never judge, though, but just be willing to lend a hand.
I also wondered where his heart was, or if he knew what he was doing. Whatever it was, he clearly has a passel of needs. Thanks for a great opening post for the month. I’ll be back … “in December.”
By the way, I love the sprinkles every time I move the cursor. I’ve never seen that before.
~ VT
CWBC: Christmas and the Sense of Hunger http://t.co/L4rfaoS3
Perhaps one of the most difficult things is to maintain the spirit of giving throughout the year, once the Christmas “warm and fuzzies” fade. Thank you for sharing and reminding us, particularly, that it’s not just food we sometimes fail to give, it’s the very Bread of Life.
Those experiences affect us when we pick up the tab, and even when we don’t. I feel the same whenever I help / regret not having helped people on the street, too. Good thoughts Keri Mae!!
Thanks Keri Mae – thoughtful post that is also thought provoking. I know I have to be careful this busy time of year to take time and have a “sense of hunger”, rather than just hurrying by.
I have had moments like this too, sometimes they end happy (when I hand lunch out my window to an old homeless lady) but, I have had my sad moments, where you wonder and lose time to do what you where wondering. Great post, I think we all need to think about others and ask the spirit of the Lord to touch others by us being obedient to what ever is laid on our hearts.
Blessings to you Keri Mae & your family
This truly touched my heart. Very poignant post, my dear. Who knows? Maybe you’ll run into him again before December is over. I pray that you do.