A couple of weeks ago Old Navy was having a sale on coats. I have been needing more professional coats to fake out people at meetings and mislead them into thinking I am professional. I was able to get a great bargain on the coats, I went home and I followed my usual procedure.

To ensure I do not hoard as I get new things, I give away. I was looking through my jackets and there was one that was particularly cute, a faux leather jacket with lining. I had not worn it in awhile, so I decided that this was one of the jackets to be given away.

This past Sunday, I was at Lazarus with the Sunday team. I remembered I had the jacket in the trunk and laid it on top of the car to see if I could give it to someone. This gentleman named Joshua had just come up to get some toothbrushes for his kids. I asked him how old his kids were figuring maybe a high schooler or someone slightly smaller could use it. He looked at it and said "Are you really giving this away?  Could I give it to my wife?" I said " of course" (not thinking much of it). He teared up and said how discouraged his wife was (his wife and four kids are staying at a local shelter while he stays in their truck nearby). He spoke about how this was going to bring her hope.  That this was going to be a reminder that God is there - something tangible. He was so emotional that I about teared up. I could tell that it did something for him to have found it and to provide it for her. I remembered leaving and being deeply moved.

I paid about 10 dollars for that jacket at Charlotte Russe in 2002; such little money and effort. But today, it was a lifeline of hope to someone who was in fact sinking in despair. You never know how God can use the little you are offering in a big way.

Please continue to pray for Joshua and his family, for a job and place to live. Pray for the Spirit to equip Lazarus volunteers to assist them in an ongoing way.