The least of these.

"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:40 ESV)


These past few weeks have been filled with a flurry of activity. A lot of work, a lot of planning for my next VISA, a lot of trying to have some semblance of a social life. Honestly, a lot of trying to keep my eyes above the waves that are valiantly trying to swallow me.

A lot of my focus the last few weeks has been on me. Me, me, me. Where I need to be next. Who I need to call next. What I need to do next. And it finally dawned on  me this week how many "least of these" I have passed by without a second thought.

I'm not sure what's in the air, but it seems as though this last week everywhere I looked there were people begging on street corners. Out in droves. Every time I left my flat, I encountered at least three beggars on my way to wherever I was headed.

There was a mix of small children, women, and women with small children.

And I found myself brushing by them. Not looking at them or acknowledging that they were there. Not taking the time to care about anyone except myself and what I needed to accomplish right then.

Until my roommate and I were out grocery shopping and a young boy, maybe 7 years old, came up to us. He was wearing tattered rags for clothes, he had discolored skin due to malnutrition, and his stomach was swollen from hunger. He wasn't invasive. He didn't cling to us like most children in his situation do. He seemed resigned to the fact that no one was going to help him that day.

And I was ready to walk right past him, just like every other beggar I had seen the past week. But my roommate looked at him differently. She saw a hungry boy who could use some cookies to brighten his day. So we took him to the corner store and bought him some overpriced Oreos. On the way there, we asked him his name and how old he was. We talked about his hat, which he was very proud of. Then we gave him cookies and sent him on his way.

I know it's not much, but it was a much needed reminder that they are people, too. They are "the least of these" that God calls us to care for.

So the next day when I was out and a young boy came running up to me, I didn't look away and pretend I didn't see him. Before he could say anything, I greeted him and asked how his day was. I asked him if he liked fruit, or if he would rather have some juice. I bought him an orange and asked him to sit with me while he ate it.

I asked him if he went to school. He said no. I asked him if he lived nearby. He said no. I asked him where his mom was. He didn't say anything. I asked about his dad. Nothing.

I'm not sure what his story is, but whatever that young boy has encountered in his short life, it has led him down a path I wouldn't wish on anyone. The pained look that crossed his face when I asked about his family was almost enough to make me bring him back to my flat and keep him forever.

But instead I just put my arm around him.

And we sat. Not talking. When he was finished with his orange, I took the peel from him, gave him a hug and told him that I needed to get home.

My new friend stayed on my heart for the rest of the week. I prayed for him often. And whenever I saw another person sitting on a street corner, I remembered that young boy. I remembered that they're people, too. That they hurt.

And I know that oranges and Oreos can't change their lives, but I do know that it can brighten their day. It can remind them that some people do care. And that's a start.

I didn't give those boys food to make myself feel better. And quite frankly, it made me feel worse, being that much closer to the gravity of their situation. I didn't do it to make a show in front of the Nepalis who were around. Their stares made me a bit uncomfortable.

I did it because I believe that's what Jesus would have done. He would have seen those boys and dropped what he was doing to give them a little love.

And I want to be like Jesus.

I know that loving on those who don't receive much love was a big part of Jesus' ministry on earth. Think of Nicodemus, and of Zaccheus, of the bleeding woman. People that were dismissed, maybe even despised. Jesus took the time.

I want to take the time.

I'm not on a crusade to rescue every beggar from their current lives. I'm not trying to change the world. I'm simply trying to love like Jesus did. Like Jesus does.

To see all these people through Christ's eyes.

And I hope that you will all take time this week to do that too.

The begging man on the Seattle street corner... ask him his story. Buy him a coffee.

The musicians playing on plastic pales outside the mall... stop and listen. Be interested. Give them a tip.

The single mom at your church... offer her free child care for a night. Help her buy some groceries.

The young man with a disability... be his friend. Get to know him.

Take the time to love people like Jesus loves them. Take the time to care for "the least of these."