The Least, the Lost, and the Lonely

Why are they (the Least, the Lost and the Lonely) invisible to me? 

Is it because I don't want to see them?  Is it because if I see them then I must confront some of my ugly things that I would prefer stay invisible?

Last week I met three invisible people--I'm trying to see them.

PART 1:  THE LEAST

One of the hats I am wearing at this stage of the church re-planting process is remodeler, so we've become frequent shoppers at Lowe's, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware (At some point in the next month or so I'll post some before/after pictures so you can see the progress.)

Last week Shane Harper, Harrisen and I made a Lowe's run to pick up some lumber to construct a small stage on our Work Day. As Shane and I were loading the wood onto the trailer a tall man with his right arm in a sling walked up and asked, "Can I help you load that?"

I'd seen this man before out of the corner of my eye. He sits on the curb next to the entrance. He makes me uncomfortable when I pull into the parking lot so I usually throw up a courteous but cool "how ya doin'" wave--the kind where you keep your wrist on the steering wheel and your eyes straight ahead and tilt your head upwards.

Now he was standing next to me asking me for a chance--a chance to work, a chance to eat, a chance to be visible.  I was also looking for a chance-not a chance to love one of the least, not a chance to disciple my son, not a chance!  

No, I was looking for a chance to leave. Here is some of the ugly internal monologue:
"I don't have time for this."
"I already know this story."
"I'm not going to let him take advantage of me." 

Jesus was not impressed.

So, instead of leaving I asked him his name and gave him mine--now it was personal. "P" shared some of his story with me. I listened. I tried to listen with a heart that was sensitive to the Spirit and not callused from experience. The boys and I went to Walmart and bought P and his wife some groceries and then we offered to pick him up that weekend to work with us at the Work Day. He was there with us all day.

There is no neat ending to this story--no bow to wrap it all up. I can't solve all of P's issues. 

But I can see him, listen to him, and try to love him the way Jesus does, right?

P is one of the least that Jesus seeks and finds. 

I obviously have a long way to go to walk as Jesus walks.