BLOG PARTY -- CELEBRATING 1

On your feet now--applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. (Psalm 100:1-2, MSG).

From Hell to Win is celebrating 1 today! 

Dear God:

As I celebrate 1 year of blogging, I enter into Your presence with a joyful heart.  My clap, my dance, and my laughter are an expression of adoration for You!  O Master, I thank you for allowing me to blog "the book of Your wonders.  I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I'm singing your song, High God." (Psalm 9:1 MSG).

Because of who You are in my life, I can party!  Over the past year I've survived challenges, I've shared Your goodness, and I've been awarded with Your abundance.  From Hell to Win, You've been ever-present!

I give thanks for all of the From Hell to Win readers.  Lord, You have blessed me with a fleet of angels that offer me encouragement, inspiration and love.

In the days ahead, it is my hope that the prayers I post on From Hell To Win will continue to glorify You, O God.  In the celebratory name of Jesus...AMEN.

Thank you for attending From Hell to Win's blog party!  Keep this party jumpin' and download your party favor: From Hell To Win

An extra-special thanks goes out to my Angel and friend, J-Finesse, the composer of From Hell to Win's theme song.

Peace & Love You More...Malkia

A VEHICLE OF COMPASSION -- Part IV

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. (Proverbs 19:17, NIV).

July 21, 2011

It's rare for me to catch the green light at the intersection of Fort Street NE and Auburn Avenue NE in Atlanta. Each weekday morning I stop at the traffic signal, and I observe the street corner activity. I always see a handful of homeless people sleeping under the viaduct. And a beggar usually approaches me once a week.

Prepared to clean car windshields with a bottle of glass cleaner and a crumpled newspaper, a man approached the car to my right. Before the man could utter a word, the driver had a conniption. She shook her head profusely, leaned against her horn, and motioned for the man to move away from her vehicle. The man paused, then walked over to my car and asked me for help.

Good morning ma'am! I live under the bridge over there. Do you have a penny? I'll take whatever you can give?

I gave him one dollar.

Thank you!

This incident occurred last Tuesday, and I'm still bewildered by the other driver's response to the beggar. I tried to gain understanding as to why the woman was so agitated by the homeless man. He did not accost me; he greeted me with a smile and made a simple request. He was set to perform a service if I agreed to help him. If the homeless man approached the other driver in the same manner as he approached me, her response seemed irrational.

As I sought clarity during my time of meditation, I revisited one of my favorite books of the Bible, Proverbs.  Several verses advise how we should treat the poor. However, Proverbs 22:2 resonated with me the most: "Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all."

As a Christian, I've been trained to demonstrate kindness and offer help to people in need. I will likely never know why the homeless man irritated the other driver and I must be mindful not to prejudge the condition of others.  It is simply my duty to acknowledge the humanity of God's people and be prepared to serve as a vehicle of compassion.

PROVERBIAL DISCUSSION

How would you have reacted in the situation?

Why do you think the other woman reacted the way that she did?