Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I met a homeless lady about two years ago on the streets. I was on my “journey to the unknown” and had a lot on my mind that day, so I decided to take a long walk to freedom. I met her by the road side, sitting there, an old lady asking for money from those who passed by. I didn’t have anything that day except the Word from God and words of encouragement. I set next to her, and people gazed at me as if I did something extremely wrong or unlawful. At first she enjoyed my company, and whenever I said something, she would nod and wink in agreement. But later on, I felt that I began to irritate her by interrupting her from begging. Her irritation did not offend me because I understood where she was coming from. I left her and she said goodbye with a very appreciative tone, a smile, and a wink! I returned home feeling good. I felt that I had met a friend on my journey to the unknown.

The other day I received a small paycheck from school, which wasn’t much, but I chose to share it with the same begging old lady. I bought her something to eat and took some of my clothes that I was no longer wearing and gave them to her. She was sooo happy. We sat for a while, talked, and she told me where she slept – in a shelter close to where she begged. She also told me that she doesn’t have any family. I said to myself, “Now you have one!”

I continued to pay her a visit from time to time. However, I’m writing this with tears in my eyes now because I can no longer find her at the spot where we usually met, and she never gave me the actual directions to the shelter. I feel like I have lost a grandmother, a “winking one.” I feel truly hurt but still peaceful because I helped someone in need. I guess I was made for that, because I just can’t help myself; I help even if I don’t know how to – I press on to help! And my reward is divine peace. Keep helping, and you will surely experience divine peace, this feels sooo good!