March 8, 2024 - One of God's Children

     I knew when Teresa called that one of God’s children was at the church looking for some help.
     When we were in Ashland as a youth pastor, the Social Services Agency was across the street.  It was a very short walk to the church.  When I was in my office and the church secretary called and said, “One of God’s children is here” I knew to come down immediately.
     Susan, not her real name, though I really don’t know if the name she gave me was her name, was about 55.  She carried her belongings in a pack, along with a portable camping chair.  I’d never seen one of God’s children carrying around a chair.  She was sitting in it when some folks arrived for church on Wednesday evening last week.
     I spoke with her for a while.  It was a cold night and she wanted a room at a motel.  I asked her where she normally stayed and she said near Richmond Road.  I asked her why she was on Reynolds Road and she said because there aren’t any churches on Richmond Road.
     The last few weeks on Wednesday evenings the Bible Study videos had been on God’s grace that reaches out to the lost, or the marginalized, or the ones who are hurting, regardless of how they became lost.  What was a person to do when a lost person shows up at the church?  God has a way of testing us at times.
     I agreed to take her to a motel near Nicholasville Road.  Sharon rode along in the back seat of Teresa’s car, between two of the grandkids’ car seats.
     When we got to the motel the clerk asked for her ID.  Susan didn’t have one.  Someone had stolen it.  Hum, I have heard that one more times than you can count on one hand from someone close to us who is about Susan’s age and station in life.
     She then says to me, “The Sportsman Motel on Winchester Road will take you if you don’t have an ID.”  Somehow I wasn’t surprised that she knew that. 
     I asked, “So, I assume that you are expecting me to take you to the Sportsman Motel?” 
     With Sharon still in the backseat, we headed to the Sportsman. 
     About the time that we get to the Woodhill Center, Susan asks me, “Could you stop at the Speedway and get me two big bags of Doritos?  They are only about $8.00.”
     I said, “You know we brought you a take-out supper from church.”
     Her response was, “I don’t eat very much meat.”
     We get to the Sportsman and go in to check her in.  The clerk spoke about as much English as I did whatever might have been his native language. 
     During our discussion, Susan asks the clerk, “Is room 110 available?”  Could it be that she had been in that room before?  I didn’t even have to wonder about that.
     We finally got her checked in.  As I was leaving, I encouraged her to get her life in order, much implying her walk with the Lord.  Her response was as you might expect.
     I headed back to church with Sharon still in the backseat.  You might guess why and what we sprayed on the front seat when we arrived at the church.
     We consistently deal with a family member who is much like Susan.  Always the victim in their mind.  
     One major expectation with Susan and with him: Entitlement.  Susan felt like she was entitled for us to get her a room at a motel.  She felt entitled that we would take her across town.  She felt entitled that we ought to buy her two big bags of snacks. 
     Two things came out of this encounter.  One is obviously how we try to deal with and/or help one of God’s children who is in need, often because of their own bad choices.  If I had the answer to that, I’d be rich from the sale of the book explaining how.  It is a very difficult thing to deal with folks who are unappreciative, though Jesus said to give a cup of water in His Name.  That I tried to do.
     The second thing is my/our attitude toward God’s grace and mercy to us.  Surely there is never a time when I feel entitled to God’s grace, love, mercy, forgiveness, healing or any of His blessings. 
Though those blessings come from His hand, I am never entitled or worthy of them, regardless of how close I may be to Him or how obedient I have tried to walk with Him.
     Lord, help me see others as You see them today.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, please check my heart if there is any time that I feel deserving of Your blessings in my life.  Help me to be grateful for Your blessings, Your grace, Your love, and a multitude of other things in my life.  Help me to deal with others as You deal with me.