I was walking into the post office the other day and a young lady and her friend, looked to be in their 20’s, sitting on the bench asked me if she could sing a song for me for a dollar. I was surprised at the request, but was in a hurry and said, I don’t carry cash on me, and hurried on into thebuilding – my pat answer to so many begging on the street these days. It had started to rain, and as I left the post office they were still sitting there getting soaked. I asked the one why she needed a dollar; she asked me if I knew some song by Janice Joplin and started to sing. I smiled and asked what was up. Both the girls blurted out that they were hungry.

Since they really seemed to want something to eat for the dollar they asked for, I offered to go buy them a burger. Then no sooner did I round the corner, there was an old scruffy, dirty looking man. Catching my eye, he asked for something to eat, just a hot dog, he said. I told him I’d be back with a burger and mentally added it to the list. I grabbed three double juniors from a nearby drive through and delivered these to the hungry folks hanging out by the post office.

I handed out the warm sandwiches and encouraged the young ladies to reach out to others who can help and avoid being out on the street like that. Moving on I handed the third sandwich to the old man. I learned that he was a Vietnam vet who was haunted by his buddy being shot down years ago; clearing the way for his escape… he cried as he shared his story and recited the bible’s 23rd Psalm.

Buddy is one of so many out on the street. Although he reeked of booze, he still needed something to eat, but more than that, someone to listen to him and remind him that his life has purpose and to reach out to others. He was eating his sandwich as I walked away, hoping that the little that was done was enough to keep at least these three going another day!

Let’s be encouraged to keep investing in the needs of others as they cross our path of life.