Teed Up aka The Laguna Challenge
- DJTommyP
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 9
When you live on this broken planet long enough, you will get teed up to help/serve and share with someone. In other words, somebody is going to ask you for something. It could be someone you know or a stranger. I'm flashing back to the guy with a young Indian family (to be clear, immigrants from India) in the middle of Nebraska. You can hear that episode here. He drove up to me with two young kids in the back and a wife that was on the verge of tears. He claimed that he lost his wallet. Old me would have probably ignored him. He doesn't have back up cards? No digital cards on his phone? Perfectly understandable human questions and doubts. Yet I prayed and what I needed to do became very clear. I asked him to pull over to the pump next to me. I scanned my card on the pump and I filled his tank. As the tank was filling, I shared with him why I was doing what I was doing. Old me would have either ignored you or at least questioned you further and thought you were trying to scam me. Side note, even if it is an attempted scam this is an opportunity to share. I shared with him not just a full tank of gas yet a message of Hope. After getting his name and hearing his story more, I simply said, I'm doing this because of Jesus Christ. For what he did for you and me. For how he has changed my heart for the better. For Him teaching me that I help people in need, Matt 25:40.
That's it. I then offered to buy them food and drink after. When someone approaches you, it is an opportunity to do what God tells you to do (love others). Better yet, share why you are doing what you are doing...Jesus Christ. In a way, you are paying for the opportunity to share, serve and pray for that person. So the next time you get teed up by someone in need, recognize that. Don't just hand them money and say see ya. Well, you can. For you that are Deeper, recognize this is your opportunity to share/give something that is far better than $5+ or a meal or tank of gas. For that wisdom will last for eternity.
Switching gears and a challenge for you. The above example is when one seeks you out for help. The next level/gear is you seeking out strangers to help. Or do you prefer comfort? How about complaining? Check this out. I'm poolside in La Quinta, CA. I have a neighbor named Laguna Dave. I'm chilling. Somehow we get on the subject of homelessness. I think California is the homelessness capital of the United States. I bluntly ask, "What's wrong with them? Why don't they just get a job?". Laguna says come out with me. I say come out with to what/where. Come out with me to serve the homeless. Laguna serves the homeless of the Coachella Valley twice per week. Pause on that, how many of you have neighbors that serve the homeless weekly? I say wow! Laguna says, "Yeah, I'm not one of those dudes that just goes to church on a Sunday and checks a box, feels good about myself and just goes back living my life. I say ok, you have my attention. So we go out. It didn't take me long to see the homeless and they were someone's son or daughter or dad or mom or brother or sister.
MAT.25.40.NLT
“And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! '
You can now find Laguna in the Phoenix area doing exactly what he taught me. You can learn more about and support him at http://www.ochn.org/
Game changer. Confession, it took me decades to better understand that verse. I'm no hero. I'm just a slow learner either affirming that you got it or can get at it sooner than me.
That street outreach leads to me meeting Gary and Jackie (co-founders) Overflowshowers.org, offering Hope in Jesus Christ with showers, clean clothes along with other partners that provide medical, food, hair cuts and other key resources. Ultimately, for those ready to get off the streets, a way to get off the streets and find another family and church home.
Here is the recipe for the Laguna Street Kit...
Ziploc (large to medium)
Wet Wipes, 1 pack of 10 sheets for a clean face when showers lack
Bottle of Water, always a need
Toothbrush, to make up for the candy and ongoing needed tool to avoid dental problems
Ideally, a simple note of encouragement and your favorite HOPE verse.
The Laguna Street Kit is a great bridge. It shows your heart and that you care. It allows you to build a bridge with them and share why you are doing why you are doing. If you are brave enough, get to know their names and them better...and even pray for them.
Side note, when you hand them cash, you are most likely enabling their addiction. When you give them something they need...you are giving them something they NEED.