Last week I met a homeless man named Kevin. I asked him if he would like some food and his reply was, "No, my feet are freezing." He was wearing a pair of Vans tennis shoes with no socks. The tennis shoes had definitely seen better days. It just so happens I started a sock drive for the homeless a little less than a month ago. I told Kevin not to go anywhere and that I would bring him some socks. As I ran back to my truck, I wondered how many times Kevin had been told, "I will be right back." Upon my return, Kevin was standing right where I had left him and as I handed him the package of new socks, his reply was, "Nothing makes a man feel brand new like a clean pair of socks." Sometimes, I have to grit my teeth so I don't cry...
I prayed, "Lord, teach me how to keep my heart from breaking
When I see people starving in ghettos godforsaken.
And help me not to grieve when on some far-off ground
Our army scores a victory and bombs their cities down."
Christ wept, "But you forget their pains and grief I bear
I feel the hurt of millions
I'm crushed with earth's despair.
My heart is always breaking
I still must mount my cross
Because so few disciples feel heartbreak for the lost."
I cried in shame, "Dear Lord, no longer in mere token
Will I claim to be a Christian until my heart be broken."
And what pity He felt for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know what to do or where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. "The harvest is so great, and the workers are so few," He told His disciples. "So pray to the one in charge of the harvesting, and ask Him to recruit more workers for His harvest fields." Matthew 9:36-38
Wow. Your sock ministry is awesome!
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