A few years ago Christmas was fast approaching. We went to a local Wynn-Dixie, a store we never went into. It was about 4:00, drizzling, miserable. As we approached the doorway, I noticed a young man speaking to everyone who walked past. They kind of ignored him. He asked us for money for food. We went on in and then I remembered at church they tell us that if a person is really hungry, and you offer food, they will take it but not to offer money. We went back out and I asked him if he'd like to come into the store where we could buy him something to eat. He eagerly accepted. We went in he asked if could have a sandwich. We told hi to take anything he wanted. He wolfed down 2 sandwiches, looked at us, went back and got a little piece of cheese, some OJ (said he was getting a cold) and grabbed an apple. Anything else we asked. No, he was happy. But he told his story. He ws from Ohio and traveled by bus to Shelby to meet his wife and family, who was staying with relatives. But he had lost their address and name. I told him he needed the police station, pointed the way and off he went, with profuse thanks.

End of story? No. A few years ago I told it in Sunday School to prove a point. There was a gasp from a member who is a policewoman. She said she was working in the police station when he came in. They were able to locate the relatives, passed the hat for money for him and gave him a ride to meet his wife. If I hadn't mentioned this, we never would have known. And you never know who you are helping.