"Take care of God's needy people.” -- Romans 12:13
Terence was parked in front of the shopping mall wiping down his new BMW. He had just come from the car wash and was waiting for his wife. He was so proud of his new purchase – a reward to himself for his successes. Coming toward him was one hapless soul – what most would consider an old bum. His scraggly grey beard matched the color of cigar ash; his sad, leathered face revealed a life hard as cold steel.
The old man sat silently on the curb in front of the bus stop. He couldn’t possibly have enough money to ride the bus. A few minutes passed before he spoke. "Name’s Joe,” he offered with an accent as thick as old sod, “That's a sweet ride!” He was ragged but he spoke with an air of dignity.
Terence continued wiping down his car. The expected appeal for money never came. As the silence between the two widened, something inside Terrence stirred. "Do you need any help?" he asked.
Old Joe answered in three simple but profound words that Terence would never forget. "Don't we all?" he said matter-of-factly.
Terence, feeling powerful, successful and certainly superior to this street drifter, felt his knees weaken and his chest tighten. Don't we all?
Of course we do - maybe not for material possessions, but . . .
Terence reached in his wallet and gave Joe not only bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words ‘rocked’ him. No matter how much we own, accomplish, or experience – we all need help!
By contrast, no matter how little we have, no matter how countless our struggles, and even lacking education or status, we all can help. There’s no charge for a genuine compliment or a warm smile! Or maybe a different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos – those are special gifts too.
Joe might have been just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Perhaps he was more than that. Maybe God smiled down, dressed an Angel like a beggar, and then said, "Go minister to that man cleaning his car. He’s a little too self-absorbed, he needs help too!”
Don't we all?
Is it better to be good, generous or wise? If you are wise, you don’t have to be obsessed by being "good" or "generous." You already know what to do.
“Almighty Adonai, I’m always pretending to be either richer, smarter or nicer than I really am. Don’t let me waste time weaving imaginary situations in which the most heroic, charming, witty person present is me. Show me how to be humble of heart, like you. Amen.”
