Spare Change

I just returned Monday night from a family vacation to California. While exploring downtown San Francisco, we passed a homeless man with a hand-written sign that read: “Will accept insults for spare change.”

That sign broke my heart, and at the same time, I could relate to what he was saying. How often have I been willing to accept someone’s insults for “spare change”? Oh, not the coin type, but lots of other “spares”: Spare love. Spare time. Spare affection. Spare respect.

I don’t know whether men suffer from the same affliction, but I know we women are so prone to put up with anything just to get the spare bits that some of the people we allow into our lives are willing to offer us.

After reading that sign, I dug around in my camera bag to find some money. I don’t think the man realized that I was behind him. He had been walking toward my family but had turned to pick up a cigarette butt from the sidewalk. As he straightened up, I handed him a $5 bill. His face was wary, but I smiled and said, “Be blessed.” He immediately responded with a smile.

Noticing my Florida sweatshirt, he said, “Are you from Florida?”

“Yes. My son and I live there. We really like it.”

He replied, “I lived in Tampa for a few years. It was nice. I went there with some people I knew from Maine and worked in their restaurant.”

We chatted briefly until my family reached the doors of the hotel we were looking for.

“Well, this is our stop,” I said.

“Nice place.”

I agreed and responded, “Have a good day.”

“You too.”

He continued on his way, and I said a silent prayer for him as he went. I don’t know what it was that brought him to that place of “Will accept insults for spare change.” But I do know the only One who can change that for him or for any of us.

As I close my eyes even now, I can still picture that sign. And you know, we often approach God in the same way…as beggars for spare change, not as those who are adopted sons and daughters God (Ephesians 1:5).

How often do we find ourselves in need and turn to every other diversion and source before we go to God for help. Then if and when we do approach him, it’s with the belief that he’s more likely to punish us or to judge us than to take care of the need. I know…I’ve been there. But nothing could be further from the truth.

What do you need?

Peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Spoken by Jesus) John 14:27, NIV

Wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5, NIV

Mercy: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16, NIV

Love: “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17, NIV

Hope: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

Joy: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13, NIV

Whatever it is that you need, I guarantee you that God has it for you. It will be in his timing and in his way. But his way is always in your best interest. How do I know this? Not only have I personally experienced it on countless occasions, Jesus also promises that this is true:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Spoken by Jesus) Matthew 7:7–11, NIV, emphasis added

You don’t have to spend your life as a beggar. Nor do you need to be willing to accept insults (in any form) in exchange for someone else’s spares. Instead, approach your Father in heaven who loves you and wants to bless you. Know that he is just waiting to lavish his love on you.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1, NIV)