What if this happened to you?
What Would You Do?
What would you do if this happened to you? My husband and I were on our way home, and we had just enjoyed a nice meal at a Vietnamese restaurant. It was a cold freezing night in early December. In the back seat was a large sack of takeout food that was still warm from the Vietnamese kitchen. Rounding the corner, we decided to stop at a shopping plaza to pick up an item before it closed. The windshield wipers were racing furiously across the windshield. It was raining hard, and we could barely see a thing. Suddenly, we saw a homeless man in shaggy green army fatigues and a backpack staggering across the asphalt parking lot in front of our car. He had a limp in his left leg, and he was attempting to reach the curb amid all the car lights in the freezing rain. It was clear he was struggling to make it to the curb. And it was obvious he was tired and worn out from a long and wearisome day in the cold weather and freezing rain.
Think About it a Moment...
It pained both our hearts to watch the man as he almost tripped on his way to reach the long row of stores. The smell of the warm spring rolls in the back seat wafted through the air in our car. We watched as the man slowly reached the curb. I couldn't help but picture an image in my mind. An image of the homeless man sitting alone in the freezing rain in a lonely-looking closed shopping plaza in the dark. The image of him refused to leave my mind, and it haunted me. In fact, it haunted both of us, because my husband was thinking the same thing. We both felt spoiled. So, we felt compelled to turn the car around and go back and to ask the man if he was hungry. And we were quite sure he was.
When we arrived at the plaza, all the shops were closed along the rows of the dark shopping plaza, which pained our hearts even more. That's when we spotted the homeless man. He was a few shops down on the left. He appeared to be in his late 30s, and he was leaning against a wall of one of the closed stores. He looked tired, and his head was drooping down. Approaching the man with the warm sack of springs rolls and dipping sauce, he appeared kind and willing to receive us. We asked him if he would like some Vietnamese spring rolls, he replied shyly, "Yes, thank you. I am a Vietnam vet. I used to enjoy those very much when I was in the service in Vietnam." What a surprise, and what a coincidence! The man was thrilled to receive the sack of food, and we were more than happy to give it to him. We both felt thankful for our own lives as he gently reached out and accepted the sack. With gratitude in his eyes, he said, "Thank you again", and that's when we noticed he looked tired, but how old was he? Was he really in Vietnam? He seemed sincere. And what difference did it make anyway?, we both decided. It was nice to see the smile on his face as he sheepishly took the sack with grace in his eyes.
Three Weeks Later....
On a freezing cold night in December, we were sitting in a church service on a Wednesday night. I always tried to be faithful and attend church when commitments and the weather permitted. Suddenly, the pastor's attention was drawn to the back of the church. As I turned around to see what the commotion was all about, it appeared the man in the same green army fatigues with the green backpack was sitting in the last pugh of the church. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt surprised and somewhat filled with wonder as I looked back at him with confusion. "What's the commotion all about?", my husband whispered. That's when I noticed the man's green army backpack was sitting on the floor by his legs. "Gosh, that looks like the same guy", I said, "the homeless man from Missouri!" Then my husband turned around and surprisingly, he nodded his head in agreement and said, "It does, doesn't it?" But then we noticed something very disturbing. The homeless man was being ushered out of the service and to the front door by a member of the church as he was being asked to leave. The pain in the man's eyes from refusal was tear-jerking. You could see the disappointment on is face as he was cast out into the cold freezing December night to fend for himself.
Fury welled up in my face. After all, isn't that what a church was supposed to be all about? To welcome strangers? To comfort the poor and the sick? To give of our hearts to others when they are in need? To spread the warmth of a kind heart to someone who needs it the most? He wasn't hurting anybody, he was just sitting quietly in the warm church pugh listening to the sermon. What is it all about anyway if it isn't about everyone? Isn't that the point?
That is the Point, Isn't It?
There is a saying, "Things happen for a reason." Do you see a reason this happened? Would it bother you? Isn't the feeling of being wanted and accepted by all people for who they are and giving them a chance the point? Shouldn't it be a priority in our lives not to judge others? Isn't love and acceptance, forgiveness and mercy, part of being decent? Who knows what the homeless man's story was. Who knows what tragic circumstance had forced him to sleep another night in the freezing snow and rain feeling alone and forgotten on a cold December night.
This is a true story. It happened to me. It touched me deeply, and I have to admit, I quit the church over it. l found the truth in my own spirit and in my faith. The man could have been anyone. He could have even been an angel. Who knows? Maybe it was some kind of revelation that God visits us to see if we have charity in our hearts through the simple eyes of a homeless man. A mysterious part of the story is, I could never figure out his age.
What Would YOU Do?
I'll leave that up to you. I told you my story and it still haunts me to this day. I will never forget the homeless man's eyes. They were deep and piercing when he looked into mine as he received the sack. I felt a sadness and a comfort at the same time. His ragged clothes and long beard were only a covering of the experiences this man had in his life. I only know one thing; you never know who someone is. Maybe someday you will find yourself in the same situation. What would you do?
Have a wonderful day everyone at WA. Let me know what you would do if it happened to you. :)
Recent Comments
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Matthew 25:40 says (paraphrased words of Jesus) "whosoever does these things for the least of My brothers, has done them for Me!" That would also haunt me to the core--a church of all places! I must admit though, there were many opportunities which I have had and did not take, and for those, I have have regrets!
Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking and REAL story, Denise!
Jeff🙏
You're welcome Jeff! And to think, it is a true story. For years I mulled it's meaning; there had to be one. As time went by and I realized the parallel realities some of us live in side-by-side, our actions differ from each other, as well as our experiences.
This was one of those for me, the ones that "wake you up" and show you the faces of the difference. It is for each person to decide to give or take, or both.
Thank you for commenting. I always love to hear your opinion. Enjoy the rest of the week Jeff. :)
I think I would have stood & asked why is he being dismissed and taken it from there. In hoping to resolve the uncomfortable situation such that other member of the church would understand what is happening. If they didn't I would have left.
Edward.
It was almost over and I was in shock! I left ASAP; the pastor had a glare that made me nervous; I'd planned to quit anyway; not for me. In a way I found myself trying to be "phony" and fit into a small town when I wasn't used to it. ''Clickish and unfriendly" town. I never returned, to say the least, and they got quite a letter from me.
The man was gone without a trace when we got the parking lot, adding to the mystery. I never saw him again. But I never forgot him. That's why last night I thought I'd go ahead an share the experience with WA.
I am glad you have the arms of care Ed. We could all have tried to find him. I wonder sometimes if he was indeed an angelic messenger, kicked out of the house of "God", to prove it happens repeatedly. :)
Denise you made me cry. I have never been homeless but I have been hungry and cold as a child and needed love and warmth. I know the feeling of being unwanted. People in churches at times think their are holier than others and better than others. It is wrong for a Christian gathering to chuck someone out of a worshiping place because their are not fitting the criteria you think is right.
As Christ's followers we are required to love unconditionally, be compassionate and have mercy for others, give to the need, accept the mentally and physically challenged and the sick. You and your spouse did well by giving him the meal for the evening.
Does anyone know how it is to be cold and hungry? Let us think about that. After all these possessions we have were given by the Lord so that we in turn bless others by sharing.
I would have left the church as well. It was good that you did.
Oh Senanelo, I've been there too. Many years ago I had some troubles; not wanted at home. I slept in a teepee in the desert; washed at trucks stop and rest stops; hitched with truck drivers and a lot of nice people. And I think I had the occasion to meet another angel who seemed to be making sure my friend and I were not picked up by the wrong person. He was acceptionally kind to me, and seemed to know me. I felt comforted from it, and I never forgot it.
I have gone hungry; I've stood at a phone booth with a baby on my hip; a victim of domestic violence, calling a program for after sundown for the homeless. Yes, I've been there too.
But with faith and perseverence, I pulled my through. Although I had other troubles, I never forgot the homeless. I try to help "Covenenant House" in California whenever can;homeless youth.l
You are not alone Senanelo in your compassion for others. You understand, and that is why. God opened your eyes to see the truth of his abundance by allowing you to go without it. I think it works for the most part. Being spoiled and unconcerned may be come back to bite. It won't bite you! No no, you see the light. And that is what matters.
Thank you so much for sharing your deep sentiments on the issue. I see you have been touched by the plight of others as I have. Only a big heart can understand, and you have one!
Have a great week Senanelo. :) You are loved.
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Denise, this is such a sad story except for the part where you gave him food. I truly think he could have been an angel.
The whole time I was reading your story, I was thinking of two verses in the Bible:
Hebrews 13:1-2 about showing hospitality to strangers "for some of them who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it." That might have been you.
James 2:1-4 about a well-dressed, obviously rich, person coming into the church and being given a good seat and a poor person dressed in dirty clothes being told to stand over there or sit on the floor. These verses are warning against showing favoritism. It ends with, "well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?"
What that church did was even worse than that. Whether the homeless person was an angel or not, God does not approve of their actions.
Thanks for sharing your story. It was very touching and a good reminder to us to love others, regardless of their status.
On another note, I just want to say, you sure know how to tell a story. You drew me in the whole time and I heard the message loud and clear.
Lynn
I agree, "entertaining angels unawares." I know. That is why I thought, here is it Christmas, and he is kicked out of the house of God. Is God really there? Maybe he was sitting in the back of the church through an angel and proved he was kicked out, again. It sounds like the pharisees and the suducees; no spirit there.
They put him "low" and the person of statue "high" because perhaps their "image" needed a material boost. I like it the other way; God is love, not the door. :)
To boot; he really did look like the guy in the picture on the top. I am not kidding at all. It's almost like he wanted the story to be told somehow. A lot of people are picking up the spirit lately as the other side pushes back hard. You can see it and feel it.
Thank you so much for your reply; it is so well received and I send all the blessings I can your way for God to enfold you for your words of kindess. "He" would be touched. :)
It's good that you told his story, Denise.
Out of curiosity, can you explain what you mean when you say, "A lot of people are picking up the spirit lately as the other side pushes back hard, You can see it and feel it." I don't want to miss what you are trying to say.
Lynn
The evil attitude in the air; people just don't care anymore. They are tuned out from the pain. Evil, I know about it, unfortunately. I came from a dark background where people find God a joke; rather like his opposite. At this time, his spirit is moving like I've never seen to destroy people. God's people are emerging with beautiful things to say to fight back against the darkness. I know Elizabeth is fighting hard to remind people there is more to life than pain, bills, and sadness. There will be joy as evil tries to prevent you from believing that. :)
That's my take. I am glad you asked. It is important for us to talk and understand each other in a wired world where communication seems to be remote rather than a smile or two and some lemonade on the front porch to talk. I love to communicate and find out what people are truly like and what they are thinking. From what I've seen and noted, we're all essentially the same who have good hearts; we want peace. For all. :)
Thanks for explaining, Denise. I think I see things a little differently.