I had car trouble today-it wouldn’t start-so a wonderful way to START my day. Got it jumped, took it to my mechanic on Blackstone and decided to walk to my office. Was a cooler morning and despite the gas fumes, anxious looking commuters I was enjoying my leisurely stroll.

I came across a homeless man lying next to the overpass and he honestly looked really hungry. We went to the nearby convenience store and I got him some energy bars, meat, bread and water. I encouraged him to seek some help, gave him some phone numbers, told him we had a Mathew 25 Project and would be glad to get him some other supplies if he would come with me. Said he was going to move on but “God Bless Me”.

As I moved down the walk a frantic looking driver almost ran me over. He rolled down his window and literally screamed, “Get out of the way some of us have to work for a living.” Wheeling around me on he drove. I was confused. I either looked very relaxed, like I was possibly retired, or like another homeless man… tough call.

As I continued toward my office I ran into the janitor from the apartment complex across the street. He paused from trimming the bushes and we talked about the world, religion, the neighborhood, how he was getting older and worn out. Finally I reached my office. Sat down and started writing this blog.

My first thought after prayer, and my Bible reading was this, “Maybe we as a church family should take a walk around our neighborhood see our neighbors, see who is struggling and who is rejoicing. We need to take a walk!” Contemporary writer Brennan Manning wrote, “The outstretched arms of Jesus exclude no one, not the drunk in the doorway, the panhandler on the street…the most selfish and ungrateful in their cocoons, the most unique of employers and the most overweening snobs. The love of Christ embraces all without exception.”

Dear God, there is always room for one more at your table. Teach us to live in such a way that each person we meet knows they are welcome among us…Your people. Amen.

See you on the path…