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a short story

There once was a homeless man who had been living on the streets for a few months. He lost his job, house and his wife passed away. His family either lived too far or were elderly. He walked up and down the main streets with a sign saying, “Please help. Anything will do”. Wgender someone would give him money or food, he would always make sure to say, “God bless you.” His faith in God was not at an all time high but in those moments it seemed to increase a little. He never could quite understand why things were happening the way they were, but maybe one day he would.

On the main street was a little brown church that seemed to be packed every Sunday. Every Sunday the man would watch families and people pile into the church and leave out smiling and laughing. The man wanted so badly to go into a service one Sunday, but was ashamed of how his clothes looked and the smell. So he would sit on a nearby corner & listen to the sounds of the singing, clapping and music to the best of his ability. He made a decision to wash his clothes in the nearby laundromat whenever he got enough money, but for now sitting on the corner would have to do.

One particular sunny Sunday, as the man sat on the corner, he felt a strange feeling he never felt before. The church was singing a song in unison and it was louder than usual. For such a small church, much power comes from it! Even though the man couldn’t make out all the words, the unison of everyone brought tears to his eyes. Wow, this must be what heaven sounds like , he thought to himself. As he closed his eyes he leaned back to let the sun beam on his face. Even though his situation was not ideal, he felt so much peace. A peace that he’s never felt before. “Excuse me sir,” He heard a voice. He quickly got up in fear. “No it’s ok, I wanted to give you some money. I always see you sitting out here every Sunday,” the young man said. This man looked to be in his late twenties- the same age as the homeless man. “Oh thank you, sir. I appreciate that. I don’t mean any harm by sitting here, I’ll choose another corner. I just like to listen.” “You’re fine, why don’t you come in? We don’t bite.” He laughed. “No it’s ok, I’m not dressed appropriate. I’d rather be out here so no one will see me.” “Why hide? The Lord sees you, so you might as well come in & worship with us.” Wow, I guess I never thought about it that way, the man thought to himself. He hung his head in shame. “I actually have some workout clothes I keep in my car just in case I randomly want to go to the gym, you can have those.” “Really?” “Yes, we look about the same size.” As the young man went to his car, the homeless man started to tear up. In that moment, he really felt like God was seeing him. The man ran across the street to change in the fast food restaurant. As he put on the clothes, he immediately felt better. He came back to the young man holding the front door of the church open. Stepping inside, the man felt this overwhelming presence come over him. He was led into a beautiful sanctuary with high ceilings and mosaic tile windows. There were people of all nationalities there, and every one seemed to be on one accord. The choir was singing and the people were clapping. It was such a beautiful sight. Tears begin to fill the man’s eyes again. The preacher got up to preach a heartfelt sermon about forgiveness, trust and faith. After the sermon there was a prayer line that the homeless man suddenly found himself standing in. When the preacher laid hands on him, he felt a power that was so incredible, then peace. He heard the words, “The Lord sees you.” Tears begin to flow.

After church was over, the young man told him to wait for him on the corner. After a few minutes he came out the church, “The pastor is my grandpa, and I had an idea that was worth bringing up, I asked him if he would consider letting you clean the church maybe once a week for a couple dollars. He said yes and would like to meet you!” “Are you serious? I would greatly appreciate that.” “Yes, I’m so glad to help you. Who would’ve thought that me running late to church would result in this?” In that moment, the homeless man knew God was looking down on him. It seemed like every coincidence that happened that day was for his divine purpose. As he approached the pastor he says, “Thank you for the opportunity, Pastor. Please teach me everything I need to know - about the job and about Jesus. I want to learn more.”

Months later, the pastor asked the man to step in his office. “How are you things going so far?” “Pastor, I can’t thank you enough for opening your doors to me. Since I’ve been coming here and got saved, opportunities have been flowing to me. I was able to get a job working as a peer support helping the homeless! I was also able to connect with people that helped me with housing! Now I know I serve a God who sees me!”

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭

There are countless stories in the Bible where Jesus has helped beggars, sick, the blind, death and the diseased. He has even helped the sinners because that’s just who He is. So, no matter who we are or where we are in life, we are not exempt from what God can do for us. Sometimes our situations may seem to be dragging out but we can’t give up hope. Delays may not be denials. Sometimes all it takes is just to hold on for a little while longer then God brings the change. When he brings the change it’ll be the greatest thing for you. Through trust, faith and belief He will do it. With a devoted heart for Him, He will move. He is a compassionate God and a comforter.  “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭6‬

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19

“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬ ‭

“who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭

“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬ ‭