NO STRINGS ATTACHED
Christian Inspiration
“Cigarette ashes with your cream cheese anyone?” The young man working at the bike shop asked in sarcasm and a chuckle from inside the store looking out the front window. The bike shop doesn’t officially open for business until ten o’clock on Saturday mornings, but they sponsor an early morning serious bicycle ride just after the crack of dawn.
The high-end bike shop lays out a breakfast spread for anybody needing to fuel up before the break-neck-speed-ride. That means bagels with an assortment of spreads, including cream cheese of course.
If you’ve ever eaten at an outside cafe that serves good sized portions and lends itself to having leftover food, especially toast or bagels that sit more than a few moments without being cleaned up, then you’ve witnessed the assortment of birds that swarm like something from an Alfred Hitchcock movie… That’s what free food on Saturday mornings does for the homeless.
The man looked like a Steven King character. His clothes do double time as his pajamas and the wrinkles proved it. The earth is his bed and the ground-in stains confirmed it. The homeless man’s grey hair and teeth left little doubt that he was also brushless.
The man who looked to be in his sixties had a bird feather stuck in the back of his matted hair. It wasn’t for style, he couldn’t have known it was there, not that he would’ve cared anyway. The only thing the homeless fella was caring about on that beautiful Saturday morning was food.
While the man that has been dubbed “a bum” had little, he did have a couple of things – important things to him. One was in his mouth as he dug deep into to the pearly white cream cheese to slather a generous amount on his bagel that was intended for someone else.
His tired and overexposed skin pulled toward his eyes as he leaned over the table preparing his breakfast, the cigarette smoke billowing into them. There are no ashtrays in places where it’s against the law to smoke and the homeless man wasn’t paying attention to the one inch plus of ashes that was quickly losing the war with gravity and right over the free cream cheese.
The other important thing was the old guy’s friend with him. The disheveled man was giving his pal his opinion, and maybe someone else’s, cause he had more than just a few words to share with passion.
His friend was the type just to take it all in and not talk back… he couldn’t… he didn’t exist.
The folks at the secular high-end bike shop laughed off the ashes falling in their cream cheese that they’d bought for their potential customers and let the homeless man have as much as he wanted. No questions asked. No catch.
My hat is off to anyone or organization that serves the homeless, Christian or otherwise. Of all the “fishers of men”, who tend to use “different bait for different fish”, I wonder if different bait may sometimes be no bait at all. No strings attached, no expectations.
There are still some organizations that act like the time share salesman; they’ll give you a gift, but you gotta hear the pitch first.
There’s more to a difficult subject than can be covered in less than six hundred words… but sometimes my soul flinches when I see non-Christians acting more like Christians than the Christians.
Hazel Moon
Sunday, May 3, 2015 @ 6:07 pm
Wow, I can just picture this man and his “friend.” At first I thought his friend was a dog as some homeless do have a dog. Our church puts a notice in the bulletin, “Pot Luck after Morning service.” Actually it is NOT pot luck, because no one brings anything. I asked the Pastor’s wife and she told me each month they plan a menu, and Pastor goes to the “Shop and Save” and buys in bulk for these meals. I said all that to say this, word gets around and after service there is a long line at the kitchen window. Some were not in church, but they are NOT left out. As I left this afternoon, I noticed a dog outside, waiting for a man who had gone in to eat. Many of the church people also enjoy this free meal, not necessarily homeless, but close to it. I never would have guessed that God would send me to this church, but we are praying for revival and change. One gentlemen secured a job this week, so God is blessing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heartfelt story with us at “Tell me a True Story.”
Cheryl Smith
Sunday, May 3, 2015 @ 6:29 pm
What a touching, precious story! I know exactly what you mean…I think often of Ghandi’s experience with “Christians” and his comment afterwards. I am not quoting exactly, but it went something like this…”the thing about you Christians is that you are so unlike your Christ”. Oh, it burdens my soul every time I think of that. Because it is SO true. It is a sad day when, as you said, we see non-Christians behaving more like Jesus than His Own followers. We have gotten so caught up in the “politics” of religion…it is the biggest detriment to true, real Christianity. He must look down upon us with such sadness in His eyes as we fail to take care of our own…His Own creation. It was so touching to read your words and to sense the great concern upon your heart. Thank you for minding God, brother, and for always proclaiming His truth here. He is using you in amazing ways…I leave here inspired, as usual.
June
Sunday, May 3, 2015 @ 6:53 pm
My pastor convicted me deeply this morning. Basically asking, when we look at non-Christians {and their behavior} is our first instinct to condemn them? or pray for them? We think we know so much. Yet we forget the most important thing, we all come to Jesus the same way. By His mercy and grace. Good word, brother. God bless you.
Bill (cycelguy)
Monday, May 4, 2015 @ 5:33 am
I do more than flinch; I cringe. I shrink almost in shame as I watch those “renegades” take better care of the lost sheep than we who claim to know the Shepherd. Good story Floyd. Even better eye-opener.
Betty Draper
Monday, May 4, 2015 @ 6:08 am
Thank Floyd for a post that brings a challenge. It always hard to know who, when, where to give and without the Holy Spirit prompting us, it too easy to let the world take care of those who are unlovely for many reasons. I am with Bill, I too cringe when I realize I did not heed his prompting and missed a chance to be the hands of our Saviors. This post made me think of how the farmers in bible times would leave the corners of their fields for those who were in need. I am thinking we need to realize we are in bible times still, just a different dispensation and using different methods. You are exposing your giving heart my brother with this post.
Lisa notes
Monday, May 4, 2015 @ 10:26 am
What an awesome story, Floyd. No strings attached. Especially love that part. That’s one thing I love the most about Manna House where I get to volunteer. They have no sign-ups or qualifications or requirements. If you’re hungry, you eat. If you want to take it home, you do. It’s as free as grace. Thanks for sharing about this bike shop. Good examples for all of us!
Saleslady371
Monday, May 4, 2015 @ 10:06 pm
We live in the poorest city in our county. Our church does a stellar job with a big operation food pantry feeding about 400 families every Tuesday. No sermon just giving out the love and care of Jesus. Tom is part of this ministry and he tells me how hard it is sometimes because not all homeless or poverty stricken are grateful. They complain about things. That’s when it gets hard to love, but he loves them anyway.
Your story is so good.
Bless that servant’s heart of yours to help pray for Renie. The loss of a child affects so many areas of the family. It’s overwhelming, but the load feels lighter already.
Dan Erickson
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 @ 1:20 pm
Hi Floyd, it’s been awhile. I like the new look of your site. I also agree that it doesn’t have to be a Christian who helps the needy. Sometimes the said non-Christian helps out as much or more. Makes one think. I hope you’re doing well, my friend.
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 @ 4:51 pm
Good to see and good to read and good to read the comments. I also am pleased that the reading is easier for me re: the size of the letters. As usual, you are a treat! Bless you, Bro.
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 @ 8:10 pm
Floyd,
Your post reminded me of the retreat’s theme: Grace. If Christians really understood God’s grace, then we would be more gracious and give without strings attached. Some many Christian organizations like Samaritan’s Purse help anyone in time of need. Our church recently did a free work day over a weekend for three different public schools in our area. A timely word…Thanks 🙂
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 @ 8:11 pm
Oops,…So many, not Some many….
Shandra
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 @ 6:57 am
Wonderful.
Chuck Allen
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 @ 3:58 pm
Great story, Floyd. It is refreshing to see someone help with no strings attached. I know our message is important, but when we hold help hostage until someone listens, we make it seem like a powerless message. Great post!
Sharon
Thursday, May 7, 2015 @ 1:08 pm
Floyd, this was such a touching story. I think I was most impressed by the gracious attitude of the people who allowed this poor soul the chance to eat. At first I thought someone was going to go off the deep end, and yell at him and chase him off – (which just goes to show my cynical expectation of the *worst* in people coming out).
Yup. A good reminder of how we’re supposed to act. And yes, sometimes non-believers have a way of putting us to shame. We all need to remember that old saying, “What would Jesus do?” I’ll tell you what, I know that Jesus would be ministering to homeless people for sure. He always gravitated to those who were marginalized. And, He fed them, physically and spiritually. We must be disciples that reflect well on Him, and dedicate ourselves to being about HIS business.
This verse:
“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”(Matthew 10:42, NLT)
In this life and the next.
GOD BLESS!
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, May 7, 2015 @ 1:41 pm
The act of love is enough. We don’t have to make sure God gets the glory or anything else. Jesus healed 10 lepers and only one came back to thank Him. He still healed them all. It’s hard to give and expect nothing in return, but it’s exactly what our Father does every single day. Important reminder. Thanks Floyd.