Love on the Least of These

By: Kim Garrett

Thursday, July 31, 2025

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; As I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another". John 13: 34-35 (NKJV)

She looked as if she hadn't bathed in months and had streaks of dirt on both cheeks. Her long hair was tightly matted, and when I passed by, she turned her head and avoided making eye contact. She didn't speak, and she didn't ask me for anything. She just stared off into space, distancing herself from her reality. "I love mornings, but this heat is a killer" was my feeble attempt to acknowledge her. I didn't get a response, at least not at first. However, I felt prompted to pause. My thoughts whispered, "Don't pass her by, give her the gift of presence." Slowly her aged face turned towards me. I smiled, reached out my hand, and said, "Hi, I'm Kim." She countered with a sarcastic, "I'm hungry". I assured her I'd be right back and hurried inside the store to grab a pre-made breakfast sandwich, a cup of fresh fruit, and a bottled water. I returned with breakfast and plopped down beside her on the sidewalk.

I talked. She ate. I said nothing profound, nothing of real importance... just stories from the life experiences of another woman's journey. Her smiles in between bites of food encouraged me to keep talking... three babies, an unwanted divorce, bad choices, good choices, and so on. When my new friend finished her meal, she wiped her mouth on her ragged sleeve and said, "Thank you, Kim". I smiled back and replied, "Life can be really hard, but I couldn't have done any of it without God." Now, I'm the one looking at the ground, shuffling gravel with my feet. My words were soft, but serious... "You know, I love Jesus so much for getting me through those tough years". Suddenly, my new friend straightened her back and raised her eyebrows. What happened next, I will never forget: "What would we do without Jesus, Kim?" was her response, but this time her eyes had a sweet sparkle! I leaned in and assuredly answered, "He loves you dear friend, never forget that".

I got my bearings, and I slowly rose to my feet. When I reached out my hand she gripped it tightly. Our eyes met and I closed our time by saying "Thank you, my friend. Have a wonderfully blessed day". With a toothless grin, she quickly replied, "I already have, Kim, I already have". Praise God!

Read: Matthew 25: 35-40; Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:3-4