“Wait, are you with a church, or are you just being human?”

Her question caught me a bit off-guard.  I responded with an awkward, “well, I would have to say it’s both.”

Her name is Linda.  She’s a beautiful woman.  Her eyes were crystal clear and green, and she had impeccable teeth.  You know, the kind you see on toothpaste commercials.  Linda is kind, polite and articulate.

And Linda is homeless.

I saw Linda a few weeks ago at Burger King in Wickenburg.  I go there most Wednesday mornings to talk with my mom on Skype.  She was sitting outside when I got there, but moved inside as the morning went on due to the heat.  I had finished talking with mom, so it was time for me to go.  I walked out to my car, and I caught an older gentleman walking quickly from his car back inside, giving Linda some cash before swiftly returning back to his vehicle.  She seemed shocked and grateful.  I was excited to see someone have compassion for her, and yet I was sad to see no conversation take place.  Perhaps he had somewhere he needed to be at shortly.  I had some time still.  So, I walked back inside.

She was putting all of her belongings in one of the corner booths inside, which included several plastic grocery bags filled with odds and ends she had probably gathered along her travels.  I excused myself as I walked towards Linda, hoping not to scare her.  I asked her if she would like some food.

“Why would you think that I would need food?”

“Well, I kinda feel like you do” I said, hoping to God that I didn’t insult her.

“Yes, I would like some food very much.”

So, up to the front we went.  Before we got to the register to order, she asked me the question I referenced first:

“Wait, are you with a church, or are you just being a human?”

She wanted to know if my kindness had an agenda, I guess.  Perhaps she’s encountered that before.  I gave my awkward answer and proceeded to order her whatever she wanted on the menu.  She tried to see what I would get so she could just order the same thing, and she asked me if there was a limit to this transaction.  I assured her that buying her the most expensive thing on the menu wouldn’t do me in financially, and that I just wanted to make sure she had a full meal today.

I asked her if she lived in town or in Phoenix, and she said (with a smile) ”Honey, I’ve been everywhere…more places than you could imagine.”  I told her I was here most Wednesday mornings, and that I would love to get her another meal and hear her story.  Besides, everyone has a story. I wanted her to know that I didn’t have an agenda.  Her story is important.  There’s a reason why she’s wandering around with all her belongings in hand.  What happened in her life?  Divorce?  Economic hardship?  Addictions?  Illness?

I haven’t seen Linda since that day a few weeks ago.  I hope that I see her again so I can talk to her.  Hear her story.  I’d love to eat a hamburger with her.  I’d love to see more of Jesus in her.  Because let me tell you, her question cut right to the core of me.

As Christians, what are our intentions when reaching out to someone?  Do we have an agenda or are we just genuinely loving that person?

I’d love to say that I have reached out to people in need like this so many times that I’ve lost count, but I can’t.  That would be lying.  I do know, however, that Linda left more of a mark on me than anything I did for her that day.

And for that I am thankful.