Thursday, April 16, 2009

Dont We All?

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times."


"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keep more than his face warm. I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.


He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand.


He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he said. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don't we all? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help.


Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.


Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."


Don't we all?


-Author Unknown

10 comments:

  1. What a wonderful write, yes we all need help one way or the other, that was a most kind and generous thing you did.

    Take care.

    Yvonne.

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  2. Yvonne, this inspirational story was written by a kindred soul which surely wasnt me.I do aspire to be one of those souls though.Thank you for visiting my blog faithfully. That means alot to me.Take care Yvonne.When are you leaving for Spain?

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  3. I loved this. It's always that reminder that we can never judge a book by it's cover. I get taught that almost on a daily basis. At the high school where I work, I have had a lot of students coming in asking for my help in guiding them towards paying for college. That's typical, yes. But here the exception is that, judging by the affluent suburb we are in with homes starting at one million dollars across the street, you would assume they would have no money concerns. Looking deeper, I see how many live beyond their means or do so to present a certain type of image. Down deep, however, they are still people who need help. Maybe not even really financial help when it truly comes down to it, but in managing life or being true to oneself. What an eye opener.

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  4. I needed to hear that. :) thanks for sharing!! :D

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  5. Thanks for the visit, I was bowled over everywhere we went. We had the chance to go by helicopter over the Grand Canyon but I chickened out. Regarding Spain I hope to visit my son soon but my daughter here is none too well , something Spinal, so thought I will see how her treatment progresses before I go to Spain.

    Take care.
    Yvonne.

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  6. Have read this before, thanks for bringing it up, its really a great read and quite inspirational. Best!

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  7. There are so many lessons in this story! Very powerful. Thanks.

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  8. Great story - thanks for sharing it.

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