Take them! God takes care of me.

Saturday morning, February 4, 2023
Temperature: -4 degrees

“Take them! God takes care of me.”

Passing under the railroad bridge, I saw the shape of a body beneath a pile of blankets. I pulled up and tapped my horn. Someone stirred beneath the blankets. Rolling down my window, I shouted, “Good morning! Could you use a little help?” The blankets lifted and the face of a young man stared at me. Holding out our packet of $10 cash, a $10 DD gift card and the On the Street Prayer card, I asked again, “Could you use a little help?” Rising from his blankets the young fellow stood to his feet. “Yes” he answered. “Definitely, I can use help.” As he approached, I held out my hand and introduced myself. Shaking my hand he said, “My name is Charlie.” Now for the first time, Charlie realized what was being offered. “Seriously? Thank you so much!” There was a Dunkin less than 100 feet from where Charlie had been sleeping. “I was lying awake smelling the coffee and thinking how much I’d like to have a cup about now.” We chatted for a bit and I asked if he needed anything else. Charlie replied, “Gloves if you have them. I have some light-weight gloves but they’re not doing the job in this weather.” Fortunately, we had just received a gift of some heavy-duty gloves. Charlie was delighted. I said goodbye and started to pull away. Charlie hollered, “Hey, hang on…don’t go!” Digging through his backpack Charlie pulled out a pair of brand new, heavy duty men’s socks. Handing them to me he said, “Yesterday a lady stopped and gave me three pair. Take these. Give them to someone who doesn’t have any.” In the winter, heavy socks are one of the most sought-after items by people who are homeless. Once socks get wet, the homeless have no way to dry them. I said, “Are you sure pal? You’re probably going to need these.” Charlie replied, “Take them! God takes care of me.”

“And the crowds asked him,”What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”Luke 3: 10,11 ESV