A Miracle

I stood a the river bank giving honor to God. I am thankful for all the many blessings in my life, and for all the wonderful people I have come to know over the years. I feel the Spirit coalesce within as I am reminded of the God in me, and together we celebrate those blessings I have received... and those to come.

As I stand there I notice a small figure coming towards me. I notice this figure is stopping by each trash can and looking in. A can here, a bottle there, perhaps something to eat. In the back of my mind I recall seeing this image a number of times before...

I go back to my feelings of praise and appreciation, again thanking God for my victories and for the blessings to come.

Soon I hear a sound. That small figure is now only six feet away from me. I hear God’s soft whisper: “Look at him!”

I look...

Before me, reaching into the trash can, is a young brown boy no older than twelve. He is steadfast in his search, and quite efficient. I’ve seen it before... the sign that he’s been doing this for some time... he was seasoned.

I am immediately thinking about this young man; how it is that he is out here among folk at play or sitting in the park chatting - or meditating as I was. What brought him here today? Hunger, despair, hope, faith?

I found myself reaching for my pocket. I pull out my billfold. I see I have ten dollars cash. I hear that familiar whisper again: “That is not yours to keep.”

I stand there at the intersection of my will, and the will of the Most High -- it is my moment of truth. That part of me that thinks only of me reacted as always, questioning how giving what I had would impact me. In a flash I am caused to realize something that puts everything into perspective: I have food at home, I am not looking for sustenance in the bottom of a trash can.

As ever, You are right God. I have to give this to its rightful owner. The choice took less than a second.
I call him over. Reluctantly he comes, overriding his fear of strangers for his wanting something more. I give him his money.

There is a moment when he looks at it, then at me. He is stunned that a stranger would do this. He wonders what’s the catch. So he stands there, holding the bill, waiting. He looks up. I smile. He smiles.

“Thank you, Sir.”

And then off he goes to the next trash can. I notice his head is held a little higher.

I go back to meditation and prayer.

A short while later I hear an engine start. I look up and see the young man get into a car. In the car I see a mother, and a sibling. It appears he is the oldest child. There is a brief exchange with his mother, and then he points to me.

The car begins to drive away. As it does he looks out the window and gives me the biggest smile. His mother waves. I smile back, nodding my head.

I feel completely immersed in such a feeling of goodness.

The car is gone and I come to realize some things.

I realized that things continue to worsen for many in our society... there are many hurting people we rather not think about because “their situation is too tough and we can do only a little to help.” Besides (we think), we all have our own issues to tackle.

What is peculiar to me about this is when we are facing our own adversity or great challenge, many start praying to have their needs met. They choose to believe that a way out of no way will become their reality. They choose to believe that somehow everything will be all right. And, they understand it will take a miracle for this to become their truth.

God responds with a miracle.

For this family, I believe I was part of the delivery of their miracle. I believe the little cash I had been holding for them was an answer to the prayers of this young man and his family. I simply had to be willing to do my part.

So the next time you are out and about and you see a person looking for sustenance from the trash can I hope you can remember they are being brought into your path so that you can somehow be the answer to their prayers.

You can be part of a Miracle.