Here's the deal: it's always more difficult to actually DO the work of the Gospel (feed the poor, clothe the naked) than to preach it. This year, God decided to deal with me on this very issue.
At the beginning of the year, I sensed God might be calling me to not make any clothing or shoe purchases for myself. I didn't want to hear this so, like a good Christian, I ignored Him.
A couple months later, a traveling speaker who represents Cross International Catholic Outreach asked us to consider not making any clothing purchases for the rest of the year in order to help clothe the poor in third world countries. Was it a coincidence that he specifically mentioned giving up clothing purchases? I decided to ignore it.
Last week I was leaving Church when I felt a light touch on my arm. I turned and saw a young woman holding a baby. She was skinny, maybe 18 years old.
"Excuse me," she said, "can you help me get shoes for me and my baby boy?"
I have no idea why she chose me out of all the people in Church that morning. But it didn't matter. I knew Who was really talking to me. OK GOD, I GET IT! I GET IT!
"Sure," I said, "I'm sure I can find some old shoes for you."
Yes, I actually said "old shoes." What a lame-o.
She burst into tears. Embarrassment? Gratitude? I hugged her and told her not to worry, that God was going to provide. Over the next few days, I started asking around to see if anyone had any hand-me-down clothing or shoes for an 18 month old boy and his mother. I got nothin'.
On the morning I was going to make my delivery, I still had nothing. Finally, Matt said to me:
"Elizabeth, why are you looking for old stuff? Just buy her something new."
Well, duh. Whatever happened to giving the best? Here I was, all consumed with scrounging up some leftover items, when really, this offering was not for the single mom–but for the Lord.
Was I really going to give Jesus some old, worn-out shoes? Like, "Here, Jesus, this is the best I could come up with!"
So, I went to the store and using the money I've made with my writing this year, I purchased several pairs of nice shoes. Instead of looking for the cheapest shoes, I decided to find something that I would really want for myself. I decided to be lavishly generous.
The craziest part is that as I drove down to the Church to drop off my gifts–I felt exuberantly, amazingly happy. It was like God was smiling right down on me. I wanted to do a little jig right there in the parking lot.
After I dropped off the gifts, I went into the Church to pray. I apologized to God for delaying my obedience to Him for so long. I thanked Him for being patient with me and giving me multiple opportunities to obey what He was telling me to do. And I prayed for "V"–a single mother with an infant son.
I didn't preach the Gospel using words. But I'm hoping my actions did a better job at that anyway.
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. " I Jn. 3:18
