Well, last night was a first. Gayle and I and some people from our home study group volunteered to feed the homeless at a local place. There was plenty of help so I was given the role to "fellowship with the guests." In came the people to eat. Some looked different than I expected, some looked just like I expected. I’ve always had somewhat of an attitude towards the guys on the corner with the carcboard sign "Homeless, Hungry, God bless." I’ve actually told them to get a job on more than one occasion. So, now I’m enlisted to socialize with them. I find a guy that is sitting by himself, he actually had a name "Richard." We were sitting there talking, small talk when the pastor of the church that hosts the food kitchen came walking among the people eating and he didn’t know me. He put his hand on my shoulder and said "God bless you," thinking I was one of "them." My insides recoiled and I quickly introduced myself and told him what church I was from so he would know I was one of "us." It dawned on me how much like the Pharisees of Jesus day that makes me. As if somehow I am different than these people because maybe I’ve had a few more breaks in life. Then I started thinking about how many poor choices away from homeless I am and it isn’t really very many. How many paychecks missed would it take to be on the brink of financial ruin? All that I have is a gift from God. The parents and homelife I grew up with is a gift. The work ethic I have largely came from there. I can look over my history at some choices I made that nearly put me to the edge of being in major financial trouble but through grace I was spared. The mind, personality and educational opportunities afforded me are gifts as well. Gayle, who is a money managing machine is a gift and more responsible for my current well being than I am. My final realization is the Monday Night men’s group whom I love and meet with every week isn’t that much different than the men’s group I met with last night at the homeless kitchen. Each man has a story, has some hurts and financial problems, some relational problems and some are coping fairly well and others were not. I really needed this experience, it changed my attitude in many ways. Thank you Lord for allowing me to see that when you look at us humans you don’t see status, you see men and women for whom Christ died!