Hunt Doors

DON'T WE ALL  

Shalith was parked in front of the mall wiping off his car. He had just come from the car wash and was waiting for his wife to get out of work. Coming his 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." "He hoped he didn't ask me for any money,"

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 keeps more than his face warm. Shalith said, "Thanks," and continued wiping off his car. He sat there quietly as Shalith worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between them widened something inside said, "Ask him if he needs any help." Shalith was sure that he would say "yes" but Shalith held true to the inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" he asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that Shalith would never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. Shalith expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook him. "Don't we all?" he said. Shalith 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?

Shalith needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but he needed help. He reached his 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 for Shalith. 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 them. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, and then said, "Go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."

Don't we all?