So, I read an awesome and inspiring book recently called "Same Kind of Different as Me". It's a tale of two very different men whose worlds touch in a way only God can have them do.  A very rich art dealer and a very poor homeless man share their story of how God brought them together to be the best of friends. The rich man has a wife who is so compassionate and sees right through the hostile attitude of the homeless man. They as a couple pursue him, and even though he seems to make himself unreachable, the Lord softens him over time. Tragedy happens for the couple and now miraculously, this angry, bitter man is comforting and counseling them instead.  The Lord used him to speak truth into the couple's lives. It's such a great book...a true story. 

I have always had a heart for the homeless, sharing what I have when I pass them on the street. I think of them in the winter and during the hot spells of the summer. I actually wrote out a list of questions I would love to ask them because I want to know who they really are...I know they are more than what i see. I've never used that list yet, but i still hope to. I've never had the courage to act on what my heart was prodding me to do, until i read that book.

I was on the way to the gym one day and as I passed by BurgerVille,

I saw a young girl standing out there with a sign. She was homeless and asking for our help.  I continued on to the gym wrestling with God about what He wanted me to do. I knew in my gut I HAD to act. I worked out and on my way back still didn't know what to do or if I had the courage to actually do something. She was on the wrong side of the street from me so in order to give myself some time to think I got into the turn lane. I turned again on a side street behind BurgerVille and knew I only had seconds left to make a decision. I begged God to help me to know what to do. I was scared! As I turned around to go down the street where she was standing, I said, "Ok God, do I invite her into my car or do I point her over to BurgerVille and get her some lunch?" As I approached her I told God that whatever fell out of my mouth I would consider His direction. I drove up and pointed for her to meet me at BurgerVille. I parked and met up with her, my heart pounding. I asked her how she was doing and if i could get her some lunch. As we walked in, I felt the Lord calming me and giving me the courage and the words to talk with her. I asked her about her situation and if she was ok...where she was sleeping and where her family was? I asked her if people have helped her and if there was anything else I could do for her. She asked for money, but I had no cash on me. I gave her my phone number and told her that if she ever needed anything to call....that my husband knows a lot of people that could get her help or care if she needed it. She was thankful and quiet. I said goodbye and went home feeling refreshed. i feel like its humbling on both parts.  She's just a girl, a child really, who is desperate to have someone love her. We often worry about helping people we don't trust...that they could be doing more for themselves...or that they're not being honest with us. In my mind, that's not our problem. We are to do the loving and God is to do the Judging. 

Read that book....it could give you the courage you need too!

 Tara Homola