For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in.

~Matthew 25:35 NASB2020

The Opportunity Presented

I hate missed blessings, but deciding when to help is difficult. Are they truly in need? Is it safe for me to engage with them? Are they trying to scam me? I want to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in such matters, but I fear that sometimes I miss the mark.

Once, I pulled into the parking lot at the big box store and saw a young woman walking across the hot pavement among the parked cars. She stopped at a car a customer was loading. Ahh. She’s asking for handouts. I parked my car, went inside, and forgot about her. 

After shopping, I made my way to my car and spotted the same woman in conversation with a lady loading her groceries. The lady had her wallet in her hand as she talked to the woman. She’s hitting the customer up for money. Since my path took me past them, I constructed an answer in my mind should she ask me for help. She didn’t look needy. No scamming me today.

Sure enough, as soon as I passed them and lifted my trunk, she called, “Ma’am, excuse me, ma’am. Could you help me?”

The Opportunity Missed

I continued loading my groceries as my stock answer poured from my lips: “I’m sorry. I don’t have any cash with me.”

Safe answer, right? After all, I was a woman alone. I quickly returned my buggy and started for my car. 

“I wasn’t going to ask for money. Just some groceries to feed my kids.”

Her low reply caught my ears just as I stepped into the car and locked the doors. It took me the length of time to back my car out of the spot and pull down the row of cars to feel the Holy Spirit’s prick. I fought it for a second, but the farther I went, the stronger the nudge became.

Knowing I couldn’t ignore the feeling, I turned back into the parking lot and looked for the woman. Sadly, she had disappeared. Unable to locate her after several rounds through the lot, I turned for home with a heavy heart. I had missed my opportunity to bless someone. 

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it with you.

~Proverbs 3:28 NASB2020

It’s a shame that my suspicion led to missed blessings. My heart wasn’t open to the Holy Spirit. Thoughts of safety and scams outweighed an opportunity to help someone and be the hands of Christ.

Even though we must be wise and cautious about our interactions, we must trust the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to bless someone today.

Lord, help me to be open and pliable to Your Holy Spirit as I go through my day. Take the blinders from my heart and help me to respond to the needs around me with Your love. Amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: Missed Blessings: Sharon Davis: All Rights Reserved.