Whoever thought that something seemingly so insignificant could make such a huge difference in a stranger's life?

That is exactly what happened to me.  

The other day, I was walking by the Olive Garden on my way to work (I live close to my job; it's within very easy walking distance), and I happened to look by the side of the restaurant.  There, sitting on the sidewalk, was a man.  He was dressed in rags from head to foot.  It appeared that he was homeless.

I normally don't bother with homeless strangers, but there was a voice whispering inside my spirit.  "Go help", it said.  "Go help.  This man needs something.  Don't pass him by".

It had to be the Lord.  The voice was gentle, yet insistant.  

I walked over to the man, hesitant as to what he might do (or say).  I was scared that he might be sick or drunk, or do something horrible to me.  He lokoed like all the weight of the world was sitting on his skinny shoulders.  He looked up at me with rheumy, reddened eyes.  I didn't know what to say.  We just stood there, looking at each other for a few minutes.

The man was wearing no coat, and it was chilly  outside. (I live in Utah, near Bryce Canyon.  It's been very cold for spring here.  The days are nice and mild, but the mornings are very chilly; some days we have even had snow!)  I felt bad for him, so I took off my own coat and laid it on him, like a blanket.  I was wearing a thick red fuzzy sweater; I'd be warm enough, I surmised.

"For you", I said to the man.  "To keep warm."

The man whispered something to me.  His voice was low, growly.  I noticed he had a mouth devoid of any teeth; it was very hard to understand him.  I guess he was trying to say "Thank you".  His eyes brimmed with tears, then he coughed violently.  He said his name was Charlie (or at least, that's what I think he said!).

I continued on my way to work; yet I couldn't shake the image of the homeless man from my mind.  Even as I was doing my job, I could not get the image of the sick, homeless bum out of my mind.  I guess my boss (and co-workers) noticed I looked troubled, but I tried to reassure them that I was okay.  

I was not okay.  My heart broke for that homeless man back at the Olive Garden parking lot.  I had to do something for him, or at least alert more important people about this problem.  If they wren't going to do anything about it, then I was.  People like the man I'd seen earlier in the day were in desperate need of assistance. Somebody had to step in and do something!

~To be continued.~