Throughout the city we live in, we see people begging on the streets.
On one street, there’s a young Muslim mother huddled under a blanket with her children; she tries to make eye contact with passersby, hoping to elicit a compassionate response.
An old man stares blankly as he squats against a building; a tattered hat lies at his feet with a few coins in it. On a corner, an elderly woman holds a small sign that says she’s hungry; she stretches a wrinkled hand in front of her, asking for some change.
On a recent trip to the grocery store, I brought my older daughter Carly with me. Carly had about $5 in local currency stuffed in her pocket. She hoped I’d let her buy a huge bag of candy, insisting that she most certainly would share it with her siblings.
“Do I look at Him with the wonder and amazement of the woman who expected little more than a 20-cent coin?”
While sitting on the tram, a Muslim woman approached us. She was hungry and asked if we could give her some money. She held out her hand in hopes of a 20-cent coin. I didn’t have any cash, so I told her I was sorry and that I had nothing to give her.
Just before the woman turned away, Carly plunged her hand into her pocket and handed the woman her $5. The lady gasped. Her face filled with wonder and amazement, and in a near whisper, she murmured thank you.
“She needs it more than I do,” Carly whispered to me as the astonished woman walked away. “I don’t have to get any candy today.”
My eyes filled with tears at my daughter’s sacrifice and compassion.
But even more so, I was struck by the look of wonder on the woman’s face.
Is this the look of my heart? I asked myself. In light of all that Jesus has done for me, do I look at Him with the wonder and amazement of the woman who expected little more than a 20-cent coin?
A young Muslim mother huddles under a blanket with her children.
Jesus willingly left heaven to come to earth, sacrifice His life, and do what I am incapable of doing for myself. He has shown immeasurable kindness, grace, and compassion toward me. May we not forget how generous He has been to us—how He continually forgives us, pursues us with His perfect love, and ushers us into the presence of the Father.
Having received so much from Jesus, we are free to give and love generously so others may discover life in Him.
Look with wonder and awe. You’ve received Christ’s lavish sacrifice, love, and compassion. And having received so much, you’re free to give and love generously so others may discover life in Him.
Mishal used to have a stutter. Now he’s learning to speak about Christ with clarity and conviction.
This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.