Being Thankful for What We Have

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Being thankful for all I have comes in my heart and mind all of the time, but sometimes something happened that makes me even more thankful than usual. Today was one of those times.

On my way home from work today I had to stop by one of the local stores to return a Christmas gift I bought last week. Usually I take the highway as it is the easiest way to get from point A to point B but today for some reason I went down the main street.

Upon my approach to the store I saw a young man in the median strip but his back was to me. I figured I would find out what he was doing there on my way out of the store. I made my way into the shop and returned my item and decided maybe this young man was homeless or something so I checked my wallet to make sure I had some cash ready if needed.

I made my way to the red light ahead and there stood a young man in his 20’s holding a sign that said Homeless Will Work. I rolled down my window and handed him a folded 20 bill. I asked him how long he had been homeless and he said 11 months. He told me his name was Brandon and he asked me to pray for him. I told him I would and asked him if he had been to the homeless shelter he said he had but all the beds were full. I told him to keep going back every day because sometimes it takes time for a bed to open up.

As I closed my window my first thought was how warm my van was and what it must be like to not have a van or a home to go to. Being cold and alone in the world with no place to go. I found myself all my 20 minute commute feeling thankful for all that I have and how much I wish I could do more for all of the people out there with no family, friends, job, or warm bed to rest their heads at night.