Jesus’ gloves
I love my purple gloves. I picked them out myself as a Christmas gift to me in 2013.
They’re mittens and gloves at the same time, keeping me warm yet freeing my fingers for use.
That’s why what Andrew did Wednesday night made me feel good.
And made me squirm uncomfortably.
One of the men coming through Manna House looking for food and clothes on Wednesday night needed gloves. A lot of people needed gloves. And blankets. And heavy coats. It was going to be an unusually low 8 degrees that night, bitterly cold for Alabama, and especially if your only mode of transportation (and maybe your living quarters, too) was outside.
After telling this man that we had no more gloves to give away, the man joked with Andrew, my fellow volunteer (he and I both gloved; it’s cold even inside Manna House), saying, “Yes, you have gloves. You’re wearing mine right now.”
I looked at Andrew. He was wearing nice black leather gloves. We all laughed about it. “Sure,” Andrew said, “I’m wearing your gloves and I’ll be driving home later in your car.”
We laughed again, although a tad awkwardly now, because the man had already mentioned he walks to work each day and needs gloves to keep his hands warm.
The strangest thing happened next.
I turned my back for a moment on the conversation to attend to something else. When I returned, I saw the man walking away with nice gloves on. Nice black leather gloves.
I looked at Andrew. I saw his hands. His bare white hands.
He had given away his own gloves.
What?
Andrew blew it off as no big deal.
But it was a big deal.
I’d just seen Jesus.
I drove away with purple gloves on my hands and with a question inside my heart.
Thankfully few women asked for gloves that night. . . .
* * *
Yes, Andrew and Jesus were one in the moment. Oh, that we would each and all be willing and able to give our “leather gloves” or new jacket or woolen cap or … to those in need. Many more moments that Jesus would not have to answer our question of when did we see Him. There are times when I question what I should have done but don’t know and may never know. But often God gives me another opportunity to give my gloves away. I do not want to miss the moment twice or three times or always.
Thanks for coming by today and glad you are linked at A Field of Flowers.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
I question myself often too, but you’re right that God often gives us many more opportunities to do differently the next time. I’m so thankful for grace that covers us in ALL the times. You’re wise, Linda. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa, beautiful post. It truly is when we give sacrificially, completely and totally that we display Jesus. So glad I linked up after you today. Blessings!
Such giving is what you were pointing toward in your post, Joanne. Interesting how God works out things like that. He knows how badly I want to hold on to my purple gloves. ha. But may I be willing to release whatever he may ask of me….
Yeah, that is a big deal. Little things mean so much and the fact that Andrew didn’t want to make a big deal about it speaks volumes. You hang around the right crowd…
Yes, Floyd! Hanging around this particular crowd is teaching me so much–and showing me how far I still have to grow.
yes. i’ve done that. more than once.
and i didn’t miss those things i’ve given away.
not ever.
Not missing what we give away–that happens to me too. Part of God’s blessing to us?
Lisa,
Yes…Jesus… loved this 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, Dolly. The more I watch other people, the more I can see Jesus….
In this bitter cold I have been sending up extra prayers for the homeless or those without heat. You certainly took it much further. Powerful story, Lisa!
May God answer our prayers. We have had so many extra days in a row of very cold weather here. It’s hard to imagine how people get through it, but it is lovely to see how other people respond to help. Thank you, Jean.
I absolutely LOVE those moments. I pray for those moments. Interestinly enough, the post I just shared several days ago – the one I shared through the SDG community this week- has a story about giving gloves and a hat to a man in need. God is working everywhere. Amen.
Thank you, Lisa for sharing!
I love when stories intersect like this. Thanks for sharing, Heather. God is definitely at work, opening doors everywhere we’re willing to walk through.
Thank you for the inspiring story. It’s true that sometimes it’s really hard to give what we love. There are things that grow on us, and somehow they seem to own us more than we own them. Maybe that’s why we need to give them away.
Ouch. Yes. Sometimes things own me more than I own them. That usually is a sign it’s time for them to go…. Thanks for your honesty, Joanna.
I think my favorite thing about this post, Lisa, is a reply you made in the comments… “The more I watch other people, the more I can see Jesus.” I’m pretty sure that’s an indication you are hanging out with some beautiful people. Thank you for sharing at Small Wonder.
You’re so right, Beth! I do love the Wednesday crowd I get to hang out with every Wednesday. They constantly amaze me and set a higher standard on how to love the least of these. Their example gives me a little more courage to step out too.
It’s in these unexpected moments of seeing Jesus with skin on that we better know how to continue on the journey, loving like He does. What a moment to remember. So glad to share it with you here. Visiting from #TellHisStory.
Yes, I do love those moments of seeing Jesus in action. May we never forget that he still wanders around this earth all the time, in many places and in many people, including ourselves. We are so blessed.
The end felt like a (good) punch in the gut! Thank you for this, Lisa. Lots to think about, lots to take away.
Yeah, the end was a punch in my gut too, Devi. 🙁 I’m not where I want to be, but at least I see that much, so I guess that’s progress.
Lisa what a beautiful story today for #tellhisstory. Thanks for sharing!
It resonated with me so I was hoping it would with others as well. Thanks, Kim.
Thank you for sharing! It’s nice to read stories of people loving others well.
We do get such bad news in so many places that it feels good to spread good stories as we see them.
Love this reminder that everything we have truly belongs to Jesus. What an inspiration to be giving in this season of Lent.
And it’s funny that even during this season of fasting, that giving up little things like gloves can still seem like such a large sacrifice….even when they’re not really ours to start off with.
We all need to pause before we can do ‘it – The thing Jesus wants us to do!
We all do have that “it” thing—I have to remind myself that it can look different for every person though. We’re not all called to give up the same thing or at the same time. God gave me a pass that time on the gloves. 😉
Oh, dear. And did he give away the car too?
I was asking God once about how I could possibly give away things I really loved and he said, “You love the people more.” Then it’s an honor to give the loved thing to the beloved person.
I think Andrew drove away in his own car that night, just with cold hands. 🙂 I love your answer from God: Love the people more. Yes. I want to remember that. Thank you, Beth.
Thank you Lisa for sharing this, it was beautiful. It reminds me of a story my husband tells of his grandmother. She saved and saved for a new winter coat. A missionary came to church and didn’t have one. His grandmother gave her the coat she had on. Yes, we all need to show Jesus to others through selfless acts.
Ooh, that’s a toughie. But what a beautiful response by your husband’s grandmother. It makes me think of Jesus telling about the widow who gave away two mites. I’m glad stories like this continue to be passed down!
I hope I would have willingly given my favorite gloves. I’m troubled that I’m not confident that I would!
That definitely troubles me too, Elizabeth. Makes me not want to wear my favorite gloves next time I go to Manna House. 🙁 But maybe that means I need to? I don’t think God intentionally tries to take away things we love, but he does give us opportunities to not love them more than we love each other….
Thanks a lot for sharing this with us Lisa. Purple is my favorite color and If I would be there I won’t hesitate to ask you about your gloves.
Bruce and I used to help out with the clothing drive once a month at the Refuge — our church’s homeless ministry. Every month, there was one volunteer who would always end up giving away his tennis shoes. He left every month in his socks. Such a great guy!
Wow. I’d like to hang out with that guy. I’m just not there yet myself! What a wonderful example of Jesus he must be to so many.
Thinking about my favorite red mittens with the furry cuffs . . .
Thanks for your honest words today about giving from the heart. I’ve “seen your face” at various link ups, so I’m glad I dropped in today via Thought Provoking Thursday.
So I’m not the only one with favorite mittens. 🙂 As much as I love mine, I’ll be glad when warmer weather finally comes and nobody needs gloves or mittens at all.
I often wonder if I would be brave enough to give the things away I hold close… My favorite things. Lord, i pray we bless you and others will all we have. Amen.
Good point that it takes courage (not just selflessness) to give away the things we love. . . . Thinking about this.
What a powerful night! We can all say we are helping but it only means something when we DO it. Way to go Andrew!
You’re so right, Sarah; there’s definitely a difference between talking and doing. Andrew definitely was doing that night (and many other nights!).