After finishing this and that errand I’m heading home, but currently
stopped at a red a light.
A man stands on the concrete divider holding a sign.
I instinctively dive into my purse to see if I can share to help.
This is a test; at least that’s how I’m wired to think; if I’m not
made this way then definitely I am choosing to make myself into someone who
doesn’t ignore people holding signs.
I have to do the right thing, every time I can, especially for someone in need.
So I pray the light stays red while I keep digging into my purse
that isn’t even that big and hope to find a lost $1 or a gift card to a fast
food place with something left on it that somehow my teens haven’t fleeced from
me.
I look behind my seat if there is a briefcase or backpack that
could have change or a water bottle or maybe a bag of chips to share.
Nothing.
I check in between seats and
in the console.
Nothing.
I am letting this poor man down, this man standing out in the 100-degree
weather asking for a little bit of help.
I’m failing this test in the worst way; I have been given too much
to not share, and here I am with nothing to offer.
I look up and shrug at the man in frustration.
He waves at me, then points at his sign.
It says one word -- SMILE
He points at his smiling face, then again points at the word SMILE
and then points at me to smile.
I try but instead hot tears burst
out of my unsuspecting face and the poor man points to his sign again and I
gesticulate something like I’M TRYING TO SMILE and for just a second we both
laughed.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to
strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
