People ask me all the time:

“What should I do when approached by a homeless person for a handout?”

And, of course, I have no idea!

Oh, I have ideas, but no standard idea or universal, always-to-be-applied answer. After all, everyone is unique, including people without a place to call home. So why do we feel the need to adopt “rules” for very poor people? I’ve wondered about that for a long time.

But, back to the question.

When approached by someone who asks for money, I follow my gut most of the time with no predetermined, stereotypical response, just as I respond to others who do have homes in which to live. I realize this deficiency on my part drives lots of people crazy, especially professionals! But, so be it.

One thing I do know from lots of experience: I find it hard to walk past another person without at least “knowing" or acknowledging the person who asks me for a little help.

For me, my entire duty in life is to come to know God, and in the process, come to know the people I encounter, all of whom are created in God’s image. When I know God, I seek to know people. When I take the time to know people, I experience close encounters with God.

Every encounter should be considered worth a response of kindness.

It’s who we are as the children of God. It is how we see the world and how we regard the meaning and purpose of life. Kindness is not to be shared based on judgement of another person’s worthiness; Kindness is just what we do. It emerges from my own experience of God’s unlimited grace. Who deserves grace or kindness? No one, but from God’s perspective, everyone!

Based on what I know about God and given what I know about myself, every person is worthy of my respect, even if I decide not to honor their requests by providing exactly what they ask of me. Sometimes granting a person’s request may not be what’s best for them or for me. Sometimes refusing another person’s honest request may not be what’s best for them or for me. But either way, extending respect is never wrong.

There’s a lot to discuss here. Or, maybe there isn’t.

Maybe it’s as simple as always responding with gentleness, attentiveness, openness, fearlessness and respect.

One thing I do know: in these situations, Jesus shows up.