This evening as I was walking out of Best Buy, I noticed a man digging through the garbage can outside the store. At first I just watched as I headed to my car. He would pull out fast food bags and carefully look through them. One bag had a few fries, another had a hamburger with a couple of bites left. He laid what he found on the ground beside him on a wrapper, almost as if he was piecing together a meal.
He never asked anyone for money. He never stopped anyone going in or out of the store. After he finished, he cleaned up the trash around him, wrapped what little food he found in that dirty wrapper, and prepared to move on. My heart sank. I’ve seen people on the streets before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone go through a garbage can just to find enough food to get by.
Something inside me said I couldn’t walk away. I got out of my car and asked if I could buy him something to eat. He looked at me kindly and said he would appreciate anything. He had a bike with him, so I told him if he followed me I would buy him a meal from the fast food place around the corner. He rode behind me, and when I asked what he wanted the only request he made was a big glass of sweet tea. I bought him the biggest meal on the menu.
When I handed it to him he told me his name was Steve. He said he had been homeless ever since his sister passed away last September. He was trying to get back on his feet, but it was so hard. He thanked me over and over for the food. I told him that God loved him and that I would pray for him.
As I drove away, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Something in me said to turn around, so I did. By the time I got back he had finished eating and was riding away on his bike. I pulled up beside him and asked again if there was any way I could help. He said no, not really, and he never once asked me for money. I offered to buy him a few more meals and load a gift card for him. He said that would mean so much.
When I handed him the card he broke down crying. He said, “I prayed today that God would send me someone to buy me a hot meal… and He sent you.” I didn’t know what to say. I’ve never once prayed for a meal. I’ve prayed over my food, but I’ve never doubted I’d have something to eat. That moment brought tears to my eyes.
Then Steve lifted his shirt and showed me a large mass in his stomach. He quietly said he had cancer and he knew it wouldn’t be long. I asked if he knew Jesus and he said he did. I asked if I could pray for him, and right there on the sidewalk outside McDonald’s, we prayed together with tears streaming down his face. He said he was ready to die, that he was tired of the pain, and that this life was too hard.
I left that moment changed. I thought I was helping him, but in reality he touched me more deeply than I can explain. He reminded me of how blessed I am. I have a car that runs, a roof over my head, food to eat, clean clothes, running water, electricity, a job, and a family who loves me. Steve showed me today how much I take for granted.
If you’ve read this far, I ask you to pray for Steve tonight. Pray for peace, comfort, and strength for him. God placed him in my path today for a reason. I know He did.
I’ve been reminded that God is so good and His blessings are too many to count. Tonight I am just grateful. I have been blessed.