Greg parked in front of the mall wiping off his car. He had just come
from the car wash and was waiting for her wife to get out of work.
Coming his way from across the parking lot was what society would
consider a bum.
From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no
money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times
that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't
want to be bothered times", for Greg.
Greg hope he doesn't ask him for any money.
Well, he didn't.
He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look
like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.
After a few minutes he spoke.
"That's a very pretty car," he said.
He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly
blond beard keep more than his face warm.
Greg said, "thanks," and continued wiping off his car.

He sat there quietly as Greg worked. The expected plea for money never
came.
As the silence between us widened something inside Greg said, "ask him if
he needs any help." Greg was sure that he would say "yes" but he held true
to the inner voice.
"Do you need any help?" Greg asked.
He answered in three simple but profound words that Greg shall never forget.
We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from
those of higher learning and accomplishments.

Greg expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook Greg.
"Don't we all?" he said.

Greg was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum
in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge
shotgun.
Don't we all?
Greg needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but Greg
needed help. Greg reached in his wallet and gave him not only enough for bus
fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those
three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter
how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you
have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or
a place to sleep, you can give help.

Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.
You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all.
They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different
perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from
daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.
Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe
he was more than that.

Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.

Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."
Don't we all?