Once about this time of year, my wife and I were driving through the a “rough” part of town when we stopped to get some gas and add some air to our tires. Kay got out of the car first and was starting to check the tires when a skinny man in his 20s came over to her and asked if he could help her. Then I got out and the man said to me, “Can I do that for you?” I said “No thanks, I got it” as I bent down with tire gauge.
Rather than leave, he squatted down in place and watched me go about my business. After a moment he quietly said “Will you help me get something to eat?”
I rose and looked at him and asked, “What did you have in mind?”
“Where would you be comfortable driving me?” he said.
“Well, there’s a McDonald’s across the street,” I said, and pulled out my wallet.
I figured I’d give him $5 and send him on his way. But when I opened my wallet, I saw that all I had was a $20. I thought I sure wouldn’t want to be out on a cold night hanging around a gas station asking for money. So I handed over the $20 expecting nothing in return except maybe a mumbled “Thank you”.
As he took the bill from my hand, his whole face lit up in pure joy. He grabbed me and hugged me. Although I was a little taken back by the hug, I was struck by how something so small could mean so much. You’d have thought he’d won the lottery. The saying about a crumb from one person’s table is often the feast for another is true.
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