The Wallet Purge

The first time I met John Durfee was on a mission trip in the Philippines. It did not take long for me to really like John. He is extremely bright, so much so he would be dangerous if his heart had not been so changed by God. John's heart is very soft. As soft as anyone I know and I love that about him. John and his wife both have put their money where their heart is and invested in ministries all over the world and even brought the needs of the world into their home through adoption. Anyway, John called me some time ago about a friend he met in Guatemala who was running an orphanage while pastoring a church. I find it tough enough to do the one. John brought Pastor Jacobo up to visit and we met in Starbucks two days ago. They were heading to Charlotte to meet another friend of mine who has a heart for orphans and the means to make a difference to many. At the end of the meeting at Starbucks we prayed together and as they left I felt compelled to do something. I grabbed John and emptied my wallet into his hands and sputtered something about gas money for the trip. I did it in part because my friend Tom Randall gives every missionary he meets a hundred dollar bill. He keeps several of them tucked in his wallet at all times in case he meets a gaggle of missionaries. I could be putting him in danger but since he hangs with mostly professional golfers I think he is safe. The other reason I did it is because of John. Love is a strong elixir. The purer the love the stronger it impacts people who are close to it. John's love for Jesus and the children Jesus loves made me love too. Sometimes it is good to allow someone to inspire you to love and then empty your wallet completely. I think everyone should do it a couple of times a year. Call it a love inspired wallet purge. I don't care how much money you carry in your wallet, what the purge will do for your soul is worth every dime.