ann kiemel

today,

memorial day,

i ran into walmart to pick up

some cold drinks.  hurry.  hurry.

and i blindly walked past a dishevelled

guy in an old wheel-chair.  i went

around the back of him because i just

couldn't face another poor guy, with

a sign of needing money.

 

when i came out of the store, i felt

i couln't ignore this guy.  so...

 

i walked up to him.

heading for the car, and hoping he

wouldn't take advantage of me, and

lie for money for more alcohol or

drugs.

 

he was waving a pitiful, old american

flag.  a veteran of some war.

 

"are you hungry, sir?"

"oh, i am always hungry...."

 

"well, what sounds really good to

you right now?"  i smiled. no agenda

with me, but genuine love and concern.

 

"i love fish sandwiches from mcdonald's..

yeah, those are the best!"  and he smiled

and licked his lips

 

so i told him i would go, right then, and get

him one.  when i got to mcdonald's, one

just didn't sound like enough, so i ordered

two.  upon return, he was sitting right there.

  

i pulled over next to him and handed him

his meal.  and he thanked me.

 

"this will last me for today."

 

"what is your name, sir?"

"jim...."

"well, hi, jim.  my name is ann."

 

"do you know Jesus, jim?

i mean really, really know Him?"

 

"yes, ma'm, i do.  i sure do,"

"well, if you know Jesus, then you

can make it through anything. He

sent me right to you to remind you that

His eyes are on you, and to not be afraid.

no matter what."

 

i walked to my car

and was suddenly struck

with Jesus's words about feeding

the hungry and caring for the broken,

the poor.  the weak.

 

"Jesus, when did we ever see

 those hungry

or naked or in pain?"

 

and His response was,

"when you care for these, you are

caring for Me...

 

"God loves you and i love you

and that is the way it should be.

God loves you and i love you and

that is the way it should be."

 

keep watching for Jesus to put

people in front of you.  keep watching.

He will because we are the only arms of

love and kindness He has to work with

on earth.  please don't forget.

 

one more memorial day passed.

thanks to the troops from multiple

wars.  thank you.