I wrote this last night and just wanted to share it with you. It's not for any personal glory or writing exhibit, just to share how God has been sneaking up on me.

Seven Dollars

I gave seven dollars to a homeless man today.

Who knows if he was really homeless or just looking for extra cash

I don't normally give seven dollars or any

for that matter

You're not supposed to, right

I mean they could spend it on drugs

Or, ya know, alcohol

But I still gave seven dollars to a homeless man today.

The weird thing was that I had cash on me

Normally I don't have cash

And if I do, it's just a couple bucks, not seven

But some lady with messy kids tipped me a five at work

I gave seven dollars to a homeless man today.

The weirder thing is that I almost didn't bring the cash with me

I saw it on a shelf before leaving

I debated taking it

I finally grabbed it and even dug around for the five, thinking I wouldn't use it

I gave seven dollars to a homeless man today.

I saw him coming

Almost even prepping myself to say no

Reasoning in my head why I shouldn't give him money

But he came

And something told me to give him some

No cash in my wallet

So I checked my pocket

I pulled out a dollar

Reached for the second

And there is was: the five

I started to slip it back to its rightful place, but something stopped me

Why not give him all of it

Why only give him the cheap bills

Why was the denomination such a big deal

Need is need

Right?

So I gave him the five and two ones

I gave a homeless man seven dollars today.

I introduced myself

His name is Raymond

Raymond is from California

Raymond from California can't find a job

Or so he says

And as the homeless man walked away and I said "God Bless," I couldn't help but think of the beer or pot he might spend that seven dollars and someone else's spare change on, I
mean how would he know that I tried to give it in God's name, homeless people drink right, that was stupid, I shouldn't have given him that much, would he even recognize that amount, he needs to know that seven dollars is big to a student, think of the seven late night tacos or the two lattes or the one movie or half a shirt that could buy.

I gave Raymond from California who can't find a job seven dollars today.

I hope he sees a little bit of Jesus
 in it, not just a sucker

That that something that had me slip the five back out was Jesus

That Jesus, God, my Savior challenged me to give more than normally, no matter what it funds

I gave Raymond from California who can't find a job seven dollars today.

But God didn't put that five in my pocket for Raymond from California who can't find a job

Helping him was the second bird

God slipped out that five to help teach me of a sacrificing lifestyle

There is ignored need all over

That Raymond from California who can't find a job is the guy on the corner of Parker and I-225 holding the same sign every day

Raymond from California who can't find a job is also that kid on those Compassion videos swatting flies from his face

That Raymond from California who can't find a job sits alone in the cafeteria everyday eating his turkey sandwich and chocolate pudding

I gave Raymond from California who can't find a job seven dollars today.

God had me do it to start seeing the Raymonds from California who can't find a job in our everyday life

It doesn't matter if that money ends up in the liquor store or the grocery store

We aren't meant to live for ourselves

And when we give seven dollars to Raymonds from California who can't find a job we live out that realization and someone else sees it

I gave a homeless man seven dollars today.

And now Raymond from California who can't find a job has at least seven dollars.