Cups of Water

So, I have this friend who stopped her car during a bone-chilling snowy day in downtown St. Louis when she spotted a person lying in a fetal position on the cement sidewalk. She had things to do, places to go, but when she saw this pile of crumpled clothes covering this potentially lifeless body, she immediately pulled her car over to check. He was alive, barely. Without hesitation, she helped him into her vehicle and found a warm place for him to stay.

I have this other friend who cries almost every time she prays for the homeless. Her dream? To open a home for the unhoused. Did I mention she also transports a portable clothing pantry and a cooler filled water bottles which she offers every Saturday morning to those in need?

I have this other friend who’s quiet and unassuming, the kind of person you’d pass by in a grocery aisle without ever noticing (unless you happened to glimpse his kind face and warm smile). His superpower? Radical generosity. He has blessed multiple ministry initiatives I’ve helped lead. When bragging to others about his generosity, I was surprised to learn that I was not alone in receiving this blessing. I laughed because everyone in the group began to share how this man gave money to their families or ministries. A serial giver. Haha!

I have another friend who has a habit of leading people to the Lord whenever he shops at the local Schnuck’s (an STL grocery store chain). One time I was meeting with him in his office and he ran out because a man walked past the open door, a man whom he sensed needed help. A sought-after conference speaker who freely gives his personal cell number to these same men he’s led to the Lord.

I have this friend who gives people holy hugs, at least that’s what I call them. I’ve seen her hug shame and hopelessness off of strangers over and over again. Her super power? I don’t think she sees strangers. I think she only sees sons and daughters, some just haven’t come home yet.

I have another friend who leads a prayer movement in our city while wrestling with a debilitating health condition. When most people in her position would be curled upon a couch binging Netflix and self-medicating with various substances, she’s showing up, living holy, still calling the Body of Christ to mountain-moving faith and heaven-releasing prayer.

There’s so many more I could share about: 

A friend who consistently weeps, prays, and radically fasts for our city.

A friend who literally treats every person, no matter their physical, emotional, or spiritual condition, with such dignity. 

Women who travel 1.5 hours one way to minister to inmates every month.

Retired missionaries who still travel overseas multiple times a year to train and mentor pastors in war-torn nations. 

Another friend who derives more joy from teaching the ways of Christ and sound doctrine to gang bangers in the hood than to any other congregation who regularly vies for his attention.

None of what I’ve share here is sugar-coated, romanticized, or exaggerated. These are people whose lives I’ve watched. Their passion and sacrifice moves me at the core.

There are a lot of fancy people in our world who are doing fancy things - but I wanted to share with you these women and men whose names and faces for the most part are not gracing the cover of the New York Times or the live feed of FoxNews. 

Yet, they are known in heaven. 

Simple people, offering a cup of cold water to those who are thirsty and in so doing, are giving a refreshing drink to our Savior.

Father,

Please help me to see people as You see them.

Love them as You see them.

Serve them as You serve them.

In Jesus’ name. Amen