It was the middle of February and the winter cold was continuing to hang on here in the mountains of my home. To top it off my ten year old winter coat’s zipper had broken. I tried putting a new one on it but it was still hard to zip up so I decided that maybe it was finally time to get a new winter coat.

As I was pulling into the store parking lot, though, I saw them. It was a homeless man sitting at the entrance with his dog. He patiently held a sign asking for help while car after car drove by him. In that moment my heart took control and I pulled over to give him some money. Then I drove away, went in the store, and got my new coat. As I was about to drive off I saw that he was still there. I drove down to the entrance again and this time got out to talk with him.

He was younger than I first realized with long hair but bright eyes. He had the sadness and weariness you see in the homeless but there was also a sense of kindness and hope in his spirit. While he looked skinny his dog looked healthy and well cared for. It was clear to me that even though he was homeless, his heart was still at home with God. I gave him some extra money and then pulled out my old coat. I told him about the zipper sticking and said if he couldn’t use it maybe he could find someone who could. He smiled like an angel and said he was sure that he could. Then I asked him if there was anything else I could do to help him and he smiled again and said “prayers.” I shook his hand and promised him that he would be in my prayers.

I learned a lot from that homeless man. I learned that the hardest life can’t break a loving heart. I learned that every act of kindness in this life is priceless. And I realized that we are all traveling to the same destination. It is best then that we make the long, hard journey with a joyful spirit, a hopeful heart, a loving soul, and a smiling face. May God help us all to live so well.

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