A few years ago, my wife and I owned our own business and there was a time when we were searching for another employee. We had a “help wanted” sign posted, but as I was traveling down Speer Boulevard I saw a man standing on the corner near Broadway holding a sign that read “Will work for food.” My first impression was “Oh my gosh, there is another one of those homeless folks.” But for some reason I stopped and asked him, “do you want a job?” and his reply was “Yes, please.” I then told him to gather up his stuff and get in my company van of which he then went under the Broadway bridge and picked up a tent and some of his stuff from a grocery cart and returned to my company van. Although I was a little hesitant doing this, I soon felt comfortable, took him to a motel to get a room and purchased some clean clothes and shaving equipment. I told him that “I needed him and I hoped that he needed me.”
For the next several years this homeless man worked for our company and was a very good and dedicated employee. I was so pleased that we had met and was thankful that God had brought us together.
When my wife and I sold our company and retired it was thanks to the good work our employees had done making our company very successful. About 10 years after retiring, I was in a store when all of a sudden this man came running up to me, gave me a big hug and said, “Do you remember me?” Of course I remembered him as we both grinned with astonishment. He then said “Do you know what I do now?’ as he handed me his business card. He went on to tell me that he had his own condo and a wonderful wife. As I looked at his business card, it gave me a chill as I read his name and his title, “pastor”. The card went on to read, “GOD’S WORD—Matt. 6:33 Do what God wants first.” The card gave his name, his church name and a church address in Lakewood, Colorado followed by the words, “Bringing GOD’S Word to You. Bible study, counseling and full services.”. Whoa, what a wonderful feeling I had as I tried to keep the tears back.
You never know what life will bring, but what is important is to know that God is in control and our life experiences bring us many gifts. This homeless man was a gift that our company needed and in turn he needed us as he went on to share his life in a humble and meaningful way.
During these times of unknown events, we must remember there will be a time when goodness and surprises will come our way. Just as God shares His gifts with us, we must remember the importance to giving back as the rewards of “Beginning a Culture of Generosity” will turn out to become a gift of unexpected and wonderful surprises.
~shared by Roger Collins
