An e-mail I received recently shared this story. Because I enjoyed it and believe it has a great message that we can all learn from, I have included it here on my blog. I hope you enjoy it too. Now here's the story:
"Good morning" said a woman as she walked up to an obviously homeless man sitting on the ground.
The man slowly looked up and saw the woman. Here was a person who was clearly accustomed to the finer things in life. Her coat was new, and she looked as if she had never missed a meal in her life.
His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.
"Leave me alone" he growled.
To his amazement, the woman continued standing there. She was smiling, her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No, I've just come from dinner with the president. Now go away!" He answered sarcastically.
The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm trying to lift him to his feet.
"Hey, what are you doing lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone!"
Just then a police officer came up and asked, "Is there a problem ma'am?"
"No problem here officer," the woman answered, "I'm just trying to get this man up to his feet, will you help me please?"
The officer scratched his head and said, "That's old Jack, he's been a fixture around here for a couple of years now. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked, "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy lady? the homeless man resisted, "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go officer, I didn't do anything wrong."
"This is a good deal for you Jack," the officer said, "don't blow it for yourself."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by the table.
"What's going on here officer?" he asked, "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily, "having a person like that in here is bad for business."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin, and said, "See lady, I told you so. Now if you'll let me go, I didn't want to come in here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled, "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager replied, "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And, do you make a good amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?" the manager snapped back.
"I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh" replied the dumbstruck manager.
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh, and said "Would you like to join us for a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks ma'am," the officer replied, "I'm on duty."
"Then perhaps, a cup of coffer to go?" she said.
"Yes ma'am, that would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.
"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old rheumy eyes. "I think so, I mean you do look familiar."
"I"m a little older perhaps," she said, "maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently refined woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began, "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally, I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February, and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile, "Now I remember you." he said, "I was behind the serving counter, you came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued, "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it."
"I was afraid that you would get into trouble, then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack asked.
"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually, I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card, "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons, He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled and said, "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. And, if you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I thank you?" he said.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered, "To God be the glory. Thank Jesus, He led me to you."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways...
"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered, "Thank you, I saw a miracle here today, something that I will never forget. And thanks for the cup of coffee.
PRAISE THE LORD !!!
If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.
If you have missed some of my e-mails or blogs, you might have missed a lesson or a laugh.
But, If you have missed knowing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you have missed everything in the world.
I hope you have a wonderful day. May God bless you always, and don't forget, when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you. Amen.
God is so big He can cover the whole world with His love and so small He can curl up inside your heart. When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully.
God closes doors no man can open, and God opens doors no man can close.
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing each and every day.
LIVE WELL, LOVE MUCH, AND LAUGH OFTEN.
God Bless and Press On
Larry
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