Some Soup and a Smile by April Brewer

The other day I went to Panera for lunch.  As I walked to the door I saw people passing a man sitting up against the wall with looks of disdain.  On first glance, I would not assume by his appearance that he was homeless.  When it came my turn to pass him, he looked at me with a blank stare and asked for money.  I kept walking, but then something inside of me said I could do better.  So I turned around, smiled at him and said "Hi!"  The look on his face quickly turned to confusion and he just shook his head. I told him I did not have any money to give him, but if he was hungry he could join me for lunch.  Without hesitation or conversation, he got to his feet and came inside with me.  When we got in line, an older man behind me let out a sigh of disgust and said, "What are you doing?"  I turned around to see him fully appalled by my companion and me.  I tried to stay calm and asked him what he meant.  He looked unapprovingly at the man next to me and said, "You are only perpetuating his laziness!"  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  I retorted by saying he did not know the man next to me.  I was going to try to leave it at that but could not stand how utterly rude and mean his body language was, as if the homeless man had some awful disease.  I looked at the guy in line and said "I guess we just have different philosophies on life."  He took a second and proudly announced, "I work for what I have.  I work so hard I don't have to live off others.  I work hard and deserve the place I am in."  This sparked something in me.  Teary eyed, I responded, "This life is God given.  It is only by grace that we stand here.  No amount of work we do can earn us a higher place in God's eyes.  We were redeemed by a sinless man and a caring God to lead the lives we have been given.  I've been taught that if someone is hungry, you feed them.  If you were hungry, wouldn't you want someone to buy you lunch?"  At this point, the man seemed to shrink away and a woman next to him was now giving him the unapproving stare.  I looked over if he could just go back outside and eat.  I wasn't going to force him to eat with me so I agreed.  Before he left he grabbed my hand and said, "Thanks for actually talking to me.  People ignore me as if saying hello could hurt them.  There should be more people like you."  His name was Joseph.  I walked away feeling good, not because I had done my good deed for the day, but because I actually felt I was being obedient to God.  It was a small thing, but it opened my eyes to what God had to teach me for the day.  As I prayed later, I heard God speak to me, something I have been trying to be mute to for some time.  God taught me that day that I have a heart for people and a love for taking care of others because He loved me first.  The love I have for others is God's love through me.  Man, that is awesome!  All I gave that day was some soup and a smile, think of how much more we can do!