Mondays with Clifford

Today at 11 a.m, one of God's angels returned to Him after completing his assignment here on earth. His name was Clifford Oneal Spears. I met Clifford about a year and a half ago through a homeless ministry. This ministry feeds and clothes the homeless on the streets of downtown Tampa, but also is a spiritual life-link for many.

Clifford, we came to see, was not your average homeless person. Through a series of unfortunate events, of loosing his business and home, he was promised a new start in the Tampa area and after arriving here was thrown out on the streets by one he had considered to be a friend. Clifford was like that. Very trusting of others and one of the most selfless persons I've ever had the privilege of getting to now. He began coming to our church, joined as a member, became part of our praise and worship team and a faithful member of our congregation.

He was also an evangelist. There was not a person he met that he did not share with them the love of Jesus Christ and invited them to church. In fact a great percentage of our visitors came through Clifford.

He was a simple man with a simple childlike faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and he unknowingly touched so many lives.

Besides seeing Cliff at church services, he became involved with the same ministry that was serving him. He became one of the Praise team members for Amazing Love Ministry on Monday nights. He loved worshiping the Lord.

As we walked this journey with him when he was told he had cancer, we became frustrated by the many atrocities committed against the homeless by the home-owning society. From the lack of proper medical care, the "red tape" of getting him proper treatment, medication and shelter was frustrating for us. But Cliff never complained, he never blamed God or others for his situation. I never once heard him say "Why me."

He taught me how to continue to give God glory by the life I live, even when walking through the darkest of valleys.

He taught me to me kinder to others and not to get too jaded by all of life's negativity.

He taught me that love is always the answers and the antidote to give away freely, even when those you're giving it to is so undeserving.

He taught me how to trust God more by having "simple faith".

Clifford was a part of our missions team ,to Jamaica this year, even though he could not make the journey at the last minute because his condition worsened.

Clifford who did not have much earthly possessions was extremely wealthy in godly character. He who had so little to give desired to give what he had to the Jamaican people.

Clifford never had much because he was always giving away what he had to those in need.

I am honored, privileged and changed by knowing him. I thank God for giving him to us and for teaching us through his life.

I thank God for Mondays with Clifford.