Where There is Love...

Picture a destitute man. He's standing on the corner of the street, holding the typical cardboard sign scrawled with a plea for anything you can spare to aid his circumstance. He's cold & tattered, dirty & bruised, his body is meagre with hunger, but nothing about this man's spirit leaves you with the feeling that he is desolate,.. not even in his dismal state.

This man expelled a vivid impression of reality, and it pained me beyond any explanation. Emotion welled up within me as though a special calling to this particular individual. Now, I've helped people before, but this felt different. You could almost imagine as if it were Jesus himself standing there as though a test for humanity. Despite his condition he had a peaceful presence about him. A sweet spirit. He had a twinkle in his eye that is beyond words, as though a window to his soul.

The girls & I quickly decided to turn the truck around and go into Fred Meyer's to make some purchases for him. As we turned the corner, we saw his weathered old bicycle with a black, plastic garbage bag no less containing all of his worldy possessions. I knew he wouldn't be able to carry much so I chose things carefully while also keeping in mind that he was missing most of his front teeth. We purchased some oranges, bananas, strawberries, and grapes along with some soft, fresh baked, whole wheat rolls, a couple bottles of apple juice, and a large bottle of water. Before we headed to the checkout, we decided to add a treat and grabbed some pumpkin chocolate-chip cookies. In addition, we purchased an ultra soft, micro fiber, luxury warmth blanket.

The girls helped me give the gifts to him, and his appreciation was overwhelming. His cold hands were so bruised ...every single fingertip... and his beard was filled with crumbs. His voice trembled as he thanked us. He seemed in awe of the fresh fruit and the new blanket... and the human contact. I'm sure most people simply throw change out the window as they pass the traffic signal. As I said, I've helped people before, but this was different, and this experience will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life. I hope it will for my children, too.

As we drove away, Ashley lovingly said, "Jesus is sooo proud of us, huh, mommy,.. We helped a hopeless man!" Of course, she meant homeless but she's a seven year-old. I acknowledged and then carefully explained the difference. I hope that this evening's experience serves as a valuable lesson. The lesson that, where there is love, there hope is also.

I think that too many adults actually make the same mistake, only not in the innocent manner that my child did,.. too many people confuse homelessness with hopelessness. But there is hope, people,... the hope is in you.