If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matthew 5:46
Every one of us has lost their billfold, their keys, or for the woman their make up bag from time to time. On Sunday we met my son and his wife at the local Perkin's where we had a wonderful time catching up on their jobs while enjoying a meal.
It was also our son's 'gotcha day. The day we completed our adoption by receiving him to our care in Cuenca, Ecuador. Each year we celebrate is an occasion of giving him a card with words of affirmation, along with a few gifts while wishing him 'happy gotcha day'.
Our son mentioned that he had misplaced his wallet, but he had some ideas where it might be. I silently prayed to our father in heaven that He find a way of returning his wallet to him.
Shortly after nine that night I noticed that my son had tried to reach me. The next morning I learned that at 9:00 pm Sunday evening, he and his wife were watching a movie when there was a knock at the door. When he opened the door there was a Roseville police officer standing on the other side of the storm door. When he opened the door to the officer the officer told him that a homeless man found his wallet in the restaurant they ate at on Friday night. After verifying his identity he returned the wallet over to our son.
The Roseville police officer said the homeless man had walked 5 miles to the local Roseville police station to turn in the missing wallet- a sizeable distance for him to do on foot. While one officer drove to their apartment, the other one drove the homeless man to where he could stay for the night.
So often the homeless, or refugees, for that matter become open season for criticizing and insult slinging. We tell the homeless to get a job without taking the time to listen to their story of what happened to them that lead to their homelessness. We cast insults to our immigrants by telling them to go home without listening to their stories of what lead them to our shores.
If all of us would love those we find unloveable or take the time to sit down and listen to their stories just maybe we can make the world a better place.
In only a few weeks, the church I attend will be having an evening of listening to our immigrants to share their stories of what happened to them as they came to America.
Incidentally, my son said nothing was taken from his billfold. My prayers for the homeless gentleman who trudged 5 miles to do the right thing that blessings will finally come pouring out to him from heaven.
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