Encouragement
Don’t We All (a story about Kenny)
One day, about two and a half years ago, after a hard day’s work, I had taken the family car to the car wash and had gone to pick up my wife from work. I was sitting in the car with the window rolled down when I saw, coming across the parking lot, what society would consider a bum. He was wearing dirty clothes and a dirty ball cap, and had just come from the direction of the dumpster.
There are times when you feel generous, but then there are other times when you are just too tired and don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered times.” I began thinking: “I hope he doesn’t ask me for money. We are going out for dinner and I have just enough money.”
He didn’t ask. He came over next to where I was parked and sat on the steps leading up to the second level of the building. Looking over and seeing that my car window was down, he spoke. “That’s a nice car,” he said. Although his clothes were torn and dirty, he had a polite way about him.
I said, “thanks,” and stepped out of the car, walked around on the opposite side, pretending to inspect it—for what, I don’t know. While I did so, he just sat there quietly. I kept expecting a plea for money, but it never came.
As the silence continued, something inside of me said, “Ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure that he would say “yes,” but I obeyed the inner voice. “Do you need any help?” I finally asked.
He rose and turned toward me. It was then I noticed the large abscess on the side of his face, somewhat obscured by the baseball cap. He answered my question with three simple but profound words that I will never forget. We are prone to look for wisdom from those who have higher learning and have accomplished great things. I expected nothing except an outstretched grimy hand. The three simple words he spoke left me momentarily speechless.
“Don’t we all?” he said.
I was feeling high and mighty, at least more successful than this “bum,” until those three words hit me like a ton of bricks—“Don’t we all.”
Yes, I needed help. Maybe not for monetary or health reasons, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him the money I was going to use for dinner. But those three little words kept repeating in my mind.
No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. And no matter how little you have, or how loaded you are with problems, even without, or very little to share, you can give help. Even if it’s just a kind word, you can give that.
You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They may be waiting on you to give them what they don’t have—a different perspective in life, a word of hope, a change that only you, through God’s eyes, can see.
A short time later I learned from my wife that the man was not a homeless stranger wandering the streets. He, in fact, was Kenny, the janitor who worked for the office complex where my wife’s office is. He was given a small room by management in exchange for his work. As I came to know Kenny, I learned that he loved the Lord but had gone through some very troubling times. I was able to bring him food and clothing from time to time and share the gospel with him. After receiving his social security check one month, about a year after our first encounter, Kenny walked into the Birth Choice office and handed my wife $50, because he wanted to show his appreciation for all we had done for him.
Shortly thereafter he was placed in a nursing home down the street from JFK Hospital after having received treatment for his cancer. Within the next year Kenny slowly began to lose his battle with the cancer and asked me to become his executor, making all the decisions for his care and final days. I was able to spend a lot of quality time with Kenny in those final days, during which time he reaffirmed his faith in Christ and made peace with his children, whom he had become estranged to over the years due to past drinking problems.
Had I been sent to minister to Kenny, or was Kenny sent to minister to a soul who had grown too comfortable in himself? Maybe God spoke to Kenny’s spirit that day and said, “Go minister to that man sitting in the car. That man needs help.”
Don’t we all?
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 1111 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Allen Stark or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 1111 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.
You are a very blessed writer! May God continue to bless you and I know he will.
Praise GOD for you listening and may we all never stop.