Bus Fare Miracles On A Monday

I feel so incredibly blessed right now.

I am in my car, sweaty from the gym, freshly hugged by a homeless man. His cheap aftershave, probably from a gas-station, is lingering on my skin. It may just as well have been anointing oil.

The man I am watching walk across the street just said the most beautiful prayer for me and my family, all this over a bus fare to claim a bed for tonight at the shelter.
He thinks he is the one blessed by our encounter. He is wrong.

I too have found myself in a difficult place a few times in my life.
Each time I have learned who turns their back. And who stays.

When I was a teen I spent many nights in the kitchen of a hostel.
Just a few years ago I found myself to be a single mom with no education, and no job.
I watched by bank account dwindle with expensive attorney fees, medical bills and then my car broke down. I often talk about these times in my life. Not because I feel sorry for myself, but because I am reminded how blessed I am.

This morning I exited the gym with the music still playing in my headphones. I almost missed that a man was calling for me, but he caught up before I closed the car door.

"Ma'am," He said, apologizing for bothering me.

He was African American. Maybe in his 60's. But it is hard to tell because the streets will age you. He was clean shaven and relatively neat in appearance. Hygiene and dignity are important signs of health. I told him no need to apologize.

The man started to explain that he had spent the last night on the bench behind me, but he just got word that his name was up for a bed at a Denver shelter for tonight. He named his case worker and the address of the shelter. I asked if he needed to get there and he quickly explained he would not expect me to give him a ride all the way into the city.

I asked if he needed money for the fare.

I could tell he was so relieved he didn't need to explain.

"I was in your shoes not long ago," I explained. "I felt I had nowhere to go. I was alone. My family is far away. You know what I prayed?"

"No ma'am, what did you pray?" He asked.

I reached into my bag and found $40 cash.

"I prayed that one day I would be on my feet to help someone else out. And here you are," I replied.

The man was teary eyed.: "Ma'am I want to give you a hug."

"I am all sweaty from the gy...."

He wrapped his arms around me and I smelled the aftershave. Axe.

"May I pray for you and your family?" he asked.

I accepted. He held my hands in his and said the most exuberant prayer of gratitude and protection I have ever heard.

"The light of God is around your crown," he said.

"You know, good things are coming for you," I replied. "This may just be a bed to some, but it is a door opening for you. One day you will be asked to help someone out, because of a stranger helping you with a simple bus fare."

God is good.