Category : Stories

Sub Category : Drama

Tom is a successful businessman. One day, after coming from the carwash, he parked in front of a mall to wipe off his car while waiting to pick up his wife from her office. Coming his way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a "bum". Let's call the bum, Joe. From the looks of Joe, he gave the impression of someone who had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. Tom noticed Joe approaching but pretended like he didn't see him. "I hope he doesn't ask for any money," Tom thought to himself as he continued wiping his car.

Joe didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop although by the looks of him, he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes watching Tom, Joe spoke. "That's a very pretty car." Tom made a quick glance at him, muttered a quick "Thanks" and continued wiping his car. Joe looked ragged with his scraggly beard but Tom noticed he had an air of dignity about him.

Joe sat there quietly as Tom worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between them widened, a voice inside Tom said, "Ask him if he needs any help." Tom was sure the bum would say "yes", but he held true to the inner voice. " Do you need any help?" Tom asked. He expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand from this man. But instead, Joe smiled and simply said, "Don't we all?"

Those three simple words shook Tom to his very core. He was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street; until those three words hit him like a slap in the face. "Don't we all...?" That was when he realized he needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or for a place to sleep, but he definitely needed help. He often looks for wisdom in great men and women. He expect it from those of higher learning and great accomplishments, but not from a bum in the street. Yet, that was exactly what he was getting. Wisdom. He reached into his wallet and gave Joe not only enough for bus fare, but also enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day.

Maybe Joe 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 himself. Maybe God looked down, called an angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "Go minister to that man wiping the car. He needs help." Maybe.