Compliment instead of Condemn

Send us Fan MailI just returned from a convention in Houston. While walking to the convention from the hotel one morning, a homeless man walked along with us a bit. He asked us where we were from and other friendly questions. Then apologetically, he asked if we had any money to spare so he could get something to eat at McDonald’s. He said, we could go with him and get it for him if we wanted. I asked if he had lived here all his life. He said that he’d gone to college in Tennessee. I asked what he studied to which he replied, “Psychology.” But then looked down and said, “Sometimes things happen.” I said, “I know, things happen.” I gave him some money and after thanking me, he walked away. Several years ago, a woman came up to me asking for some money because her mother was so sick. I was getting ready to go into a church and speak…and I didn’t give her anything. Can you believe it? I was going to speak on doing good to those in need and I did just the opposite moments before. I was so ashamed. Even $1 could have assigned her value. You just never know…for these moments, I have learned that I do not need to be the judge because I just don’t know their whole story. Rev. Phil Hyland once said, “It is the greater risk to miss an opportunity.” Thank you for listening.