The college I attended as a young man was a collection of beautiful, red brick
buildings built along the side of a hill. At the bottom of the hill was the
closest town. Getting back to the dorms from town during the cold, Winter months
was a treacherous trip even for the sober students.
For those who had been drinking at the town bars it often led to many slips and
falls as they stumbled up the slick sidewalks
On one December day a friend and I were debating going into town to grab a bite
to eat at the local convenience store. We didn’t like the idea of walking
downhill on a sheet of ice, but the dinner at the cafeteria that day had left a
lot to be desired. Finally, we decided to head down and grab some sandwiches and
sodas. We gingerly made our way and after about ten minutes got to the bottom of
the hill.
As we walked towards the store a shivering man approached us. His clothes were
worn and dirty. His gray hair was wild and unruly. His face was unshaven. He
didn’t have a lot of teeth left either. He smelt strongly of sour liquor. When
he got close he stopped and seemed a bit ashamed of what he was about to say but
finally he asked for a few dollars to get something to eat. I stepped back at
first and all of the warnings that I had heard others say against people like
him played in my mind. Yet, when I looked into his sad eyes I felt a warmth in
my heart. I pulled out my wallet and gave him the money.
As we walked on my friend said that the man was probably going to spend that
money on alcohol. I thought about it then said, “What he does with the money is
his choice. Sharing it was mine.”
I have looked back on that memory so many times over the years. If I had it to
do all over again I think that I would have talked to the man longer, gave him
more money, and maybe shared a hug with him as well. Even to this day some 30
years later I keep that man in my prayers.
I pray that he found his way back to health, back to a home, and back to God.
We all come into this world from LOVE and when we leave it we will return to
LOVE.
Whether we love while we are here, however, is up to us. What is your choice
going to be? Are you going to live by the rules of the world or the rules of
Heaven? Are you going to help just yourself or are you going to help others as
well? Are you going to let fear rule you or are you going to love others as God
loves you? It is up to you!
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.