

It is easy to look at people and make
quick judgments about them, their present and
their past, but we would be amazed at the pain
and tears a single smile hides. What a person
shows to the world is only one tiny facet of the
iceberg hidden from sight and more often than
not, it is lined with cracks and scars that go
all the way to the foundation of the person’s
soul. Never judge, learn to respect and
acknowledge the feelings of others.
You can easily judge the character
of a man by how he treats those who
can do nothing for him.
James D. Miles |
Let us be happy and feel blessed when we have
the opportunity to help someone because God is
answering that person's prayer through us. We
have to remember that our purpose on earth is
not to get lost in the dark but to be a light to
others, so that they may find way through us.
Here’s a beautiful narrative inspired by the
writings of James D. Miles about a random act of
kindness that changed not only the life of
recipient but also the giver.
Sometimes the strongest among us are the ones
who smile through silent pain, cry behind closed
doors, and fight battles nobody know about.
Everyone respects and helps the millionaire, the
famous, the boss, those with beauty and
brains. What about the bum on the street?
This is a real story. James was parked in front
of the church cleaning out his Jeep and was
waiting on someone.
Coming his way from across the street 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 we
feel generous but there are other times that we
just don't want to be bothered.
It was one of those "don't want to be bothered
times." "I hope he doesn't ask me for any
money," James thought. He didn't.
He came and sat on the wall in front of the bus
stop to wait on the bus.
After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very
pretty Jeep," he said. He was ragged but he had
an air of dignity around him. His messy beard
keep more than his face warm. James
said, "thanks," and continued cleaning out the
Jeep.
He sat there quietly as he worked. The expected
plea for money never came. As the silence
between them widened something inside James
said, "Ask him if he needs any help."
James was sure that he would say "yes" but he
held true to the inner voice.
"Do you need any help?" James asked.
He answered in three simple but profound words
that James will never forget. We often look for
wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from
those of higher learning and accomplishments.
James expected nothing but an outstretched grimy
hand.
He spoke the three words that shook James.
"Don't we all?" he said.
James was feeling high and mighty, successful
and important, above a bum in the street, until
those three words hit him like a twelve gauge
shotgun. Don't we all?
We needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a
place to sleep, but we needed help.
He reached his wallet and gave him not only
enough for bus fare, but enough to take a cab
anywhere in the city and get food and shelter
for the day.
Those three little words still ring true. No
matter how much we have, no matter how much we
have accomplished, we need help too.
No matter how little we have, no matter how
loaded we are with problems, even without money
or a place to sleep, we can give help.
If you want to grow in love for
others, become a master at
listening. It's such a practical way
to honor others. |
Even if it is just a compliment, we can give
that. We never know when we may see someone that
appears to have it all. They are waiting on us
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 we can see through a torn world.
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 and then said, "Go
minister to that man cleaning the Jeep, that
man needs help."
Don't we all? If we could look into each other's
hearts, and understand the unique challenges
each of us undergoes, we would treat each other
much more gently, with more love, patience,
tolerance, and care.
By
Tim Pedrosa



Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on! It was not given for
thee alone, pass it on! Let it travel down the years, let it wipe
another’s tears, until in heaven the deed appears. Pass it on!–
Henry Burton |
Tim
|