Don’t Be Put Off by Put Downs

Have you ever been referred to as a “Do Gooder”? How about as a “social Justice Advocate”? Someone who puts social justice over evangelism? These references can be discouraging.

Charlene and I keep sacks of goodies in the car for anyone we see who is panhandling. That is, standing beside the road with a sign. The bags have several food items, along with a toothbrush, a small tooth paste, a pair of new socks and two dollars. Recently a friend said, “You know what they are going to do with it.” But we don’t really know, do we?

On Christmas Eve we and some of our friends and family go from place to place where people are working and give them plates of cookies, many of them hand decorated Christmas sugar cookies. Places include the police and fire departments, where our tradition started. We now also stop at convenience stores and fast food places.

We are not naïve. We are not new in this game. I was the Social Service Director for the Minnesota county that includes the capitol city and I held similar positions in Florida. But I am mindful that The Hebrew writer said, “²Always remember to help people by welcoming them into your home. Some people have done that and have helped angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). And Jesus was put down, doubtless with a sneer, by religious leaders who called Him a “friend of sinners.” He was not turned aside from His endeavors by the put downs and we should not be either. As my granddaddy might have said, “Take the bit in your teeth and plow on.”