"God is good, all the time."

I was stopped at a red light last Sunday, en route to church, probably absentmindedly singing a Christian song without really thinking about the words...

I noticed a homeless man with a cardboard sign walking down the line of stopped cars. Not an unusual sight in Nashville, unfortunately. But I was feeling charitable (and I had just gotten cash back at Publix), so instead of awkwardly trying to pretend like I didn't see him, I decided to roll down my window when the man came near my car.
[Side note: Someone should do a study on when people are most-likely to give to the homeless... I bet "on the way to or from church" would be one of the most common times.]

I know a lot of people believe you shouldn't give to "panhandlers," and they have logical reasons to back their beliefs... but honestly, what do I care about $2? That won't buy me a latte. (Pun intended.) And I'm admittedly naive; I like to think that not every person on the side of the road will spend their "earned" money on booze.

So, in my haze of feel-good pre-church charitability, I gave the man a whopping $2. His response is what made the encounter even memorable at all. He smiled and said "Thank you, young lady... God is good all the time!" Now, I'm used to hearing "God bless you" -- or something to that effect -- but I have never gotten this particular response before. And it made me think.


Wow, God IS good all the time!


Not only is he good, just in his very nature, but he also promises good things for us. Here is just a taste of the many verses that proclaim His goodness:

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming,

"The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,

maintaining love to thousands,

and forgiving wickedness,

rebellion and sin."

Exodus 34:6-7

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5

It's the simple truths, the ones that I've heard time and again, that can absolutely come crashing over me sometimes. And this particular crashing-truth came from a man with likely nothing to his name but a piece of cardboard. I am immeasurably blessed. With all that I've been given, I want to bless others in whatever small ways I can. But most likely, as was the case last Sunday, I will only find myself doubly blessed in return.

Who knew that a sermon could come before the actual church service?



**Disclaimer: This story is not analogous with my India support-raising. If you donate $2 (which would be amazing!), you will not necessarily receive any form of spiritual wisdom, enlightenment, crashing-truth, etc.