Whatsoever You Do

As a kid, parents are always giving us words of wisdom.  My mother would send us out the door to catch the school bus reminding us "whatsoever you do....". 

In church, we would frequently sing the song, Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto Me.  This was my mother's daily reminder for us to be nice to others, because what you do to others, you are doing to God.  

We would often roll our eyes at her and say "sure Mom, got it".  But we did get what she was talking about and often could 'hear' her say it throughout the day.  I had attended Catholic school for 4 1/2 years and weekly Mass all my life.  The concept was anything but foriegn to me.

We lived in the country and visitors were relatively infrequent.  One summer day, my brother and I were playing outside when we saw a stranger walking down our old dusty road towards our home.  We watched with a curiosity of who this person could be.  We were five miles from town and three miles from paved roads.  People walking there was rare.

As he approached, my brother and I ran inside to tell mom there was a "stranger" coming.  She laughed at us as we ran out to greet him.  He greeted us with a kind smile and didn't speak much. This unknown man had olive skin, blue eyes and shoulder length hair.  He was very hot from his walk and appeared to be hungry.  We talked to him a minute and offered to fix him something to eat.

As we went in the house to see what we could round up, we joked that he looked like Jesus.  He patiently waited outside while we went and made him a couple of sandwiches, chips and drinks.  We had little and mom stretched a dollar as far as she could.  We were allowed one soft drink per day, typically a Shasta.  I suggested we should give him one.  Mom asked if I was willing to give up mine for the day so that this man could have it.  After a little hesitation, I said sure!  And packed another for him,  giving mine up for the next day as well. 

We returned to the resting man and gave him the food.  He was most appreciative and with a gentle smile and sparkling eyes said thank you and went on his way.  Feeling pretty good about what we had done, we were still curious about where this man came from and where his journey would take him.  We climbed atop a grain bin to observe.

It seemed he went a short distance down the road and disappeared!  We looked in every direction and scoped out every avenue we thought possible.  We never located him or an abandoned vehicle.  He seemed to just vanish!

We were in amazement and really felt like we had fed Jesus. 

I became a firm believer that God is everywhere and within everyone.  I continue to believe we are all children of God and that whatsoever we do, we do unto Him. 

In my search for finding me...one thing I am certain of, is I am a giver.  A person of service to others.  Sometimes, people have pointed out that I may give too much, like, to a fault.  It may be that I have neglected to nurture and  love myself, forgetting sometimes that I TOO AM A CHILD OF GOD. 

Lord, please continue to help me see You in others and treat them as You have taught us.  Also, please help me find a balance of taking care of myself as well.  So that others may see You in me...