At a crossroad...

It is nearly noon, and my dad and I are making the long 400 mile drive back from a medical appointment. Before hopping on the freeway and leaving the confines of the big city, my father spots a CVS drug store ahead. “Oh! I have a coupon I need to use which expires today at CVS. I am going to stop,” exclaims my dad. He eases into the right-hand lane to be able to make the turn into the CVS parking lot after the intersection.

As we wait a few seconds for the traffic light to turn green, I catch a glimpse of a homeless man walking up and down the intersection. I read his sign. “$12 pays for one night at a shelter. I have cancer and am homeless.” Immediately, I feel a desperate need to give this man money. (It is cold, so cold. I cannot bear the thought of this man having to spend a night on the street.) I frantically try to get my wallet out, but the traffic light turns green. We zoom away and turn into the CVS parking lot. My dad parks the car and scurries off into the store. I know I have but a few brief minutes to find some money and give it to the man.

I search my wallet, and to my astonishment, I have cash! This is a rarity as I usually pay for everything with a credit card. But for some unknown reason, there in my wallet is cash and is the exact amount God put into my heart to give this man. I snatch up the money and hurry off to the intersection.

It takes a while for the light to turn and for me to wave down the homeless man. But, eventually, I am able to gain the man’s attention. The man comes over to me, and I give him some money. The man is very grateful. I talk briefly with the man, and he scolds me for not wearing any gloves. I chuckle a bit. I point to my tracheostomy tube and explain I need bare hands for my ventilator, etc. The man’s eyes grow wide as he realizes I need a ventilator to breathe. It was as if he had a sudden revelation that I was not just some rich girl giving him money out of a guilty conscience but that I had medical needs myself, and this money was highly treasured.

The man starts crying. He then goes on to tell me his wife had cancer and passed away. The situation took a tremendous toll on him physically and financially. He believes in Jesus, and a church was helping out. Something happened, and the church cut off their help and kicked him out. He has been struggling to get through every day. The gentleman sobs, “God once had a plan for me...” Overcome with emotion, I give the man a hug and tell him, “God still has a plan for you.”

We exchange a few more words. As I turn and hurriedly make my way back to the car, the man yells, “My name is Richard!” I wave and thank God for this information.

As my dad and I make the long journey back to our home, I keep praying and asking God to richly bless Richard with a place to stay, with a church family and with the resources to get back on his feet.  I pray this intersection—this crossroad—in Richard’s life will help him draw closer to Jesus. I also thank God for placing in my heart the need to help this man out. It was truly a life changing experience meeting this gentleman.

Praying without ceasing for Richard...may he be safe and warm tonight.