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Title: Read between the lines the next time...

We've all seen him a few times, but I always seem to run across him on a daily basis; he is the man who holds the sign. If you don't know who I speak of, then perhaps I should elaborate.

He wears a t-shirt and jeans; usually dirty and worn. He looks rough and rugged, as though he has seen and dealt with a lot in his life. He reeks of must and motor oil; sometimes gasoline. At best he is scrawny and he carries a backpack; his entire life folded inside.

Now do you know him? Yes! He is the man who holds the sign. It says "HOMELESS + HUNGRY! WILL WORK FOR FOOD! PLEASE GIVE! GOD WILL BLESS YOU!" We see him and we automatically look the other way; we're so quick to turn our cheeks. We are sure to avoid eye contact so that he will not approach. Because we do not know him, we judge him and we fear him. We comment either to ourselves or our friends about how easy it is for him to get a job; to just stop begging like he's in need. But do we know his story? I mean, do we really know? We are just too quick to pass judgment based on outer appearances; based on the simplicity of what we see.

Life, my friends, is never as simple as it appears...You see I've learned that!

Today, as I stood there at the light, I believe this man saw something in me. From across 4 lanes of traffic, he got up from his stoop, for what I thought was to simply cross the street. Instead, he stopped directly in front of me at the bumper of the car. He attempted to look me in the eye, as I tried to divert, but he held up his sign. "Why me?" I asked. It was too late, and the unthinkable happened folks; we caught eye contact. I shuddered, but he continued to stare. At first glance, yes, I too feared him. Over time though, I was mesmerized by his fierce glare. This man had more to share with me through his eyes, in the 8 short seconds that I held gaze, than a lot of people have told me in a lifetime. He spoke to me, though not with his mouth.

Because of my small stature, and fear of his unknown path, I could not open my doors or windows to offer him help or assistance. But he knew my heart had opened and that I had felt deeply for him. A first for me, I smiled genuine and big. I felt his sorrow; so much so that I turned down my music and my eyes welled with tears. At this point, he knew that I could not open my window to him, but he definitely understood that I sympathized. He glanced down and with his right index finger, he simply touched the ripped cardboard sign....his finger tracing only the bottom 4 words he had written in bold permanent marker ..."GOD WILL BLESS U". He traced it again to reinforce his message..."GOD WILL BLESS U". He pointed a finger at me...A chill ran over me, and a solid tear fell. He gave me the most gracious smile and proceeded to cross the street without stopping....

It's late in the night and I am still thinking of him. Who is he? What is this man's story? Why has he affected me so? Today he blessed me, and that's why. With what? It's still hard to put into words. I cannot explain how profound this experience was. So much so, that these feelings have overflowed onto virtual paper, to share with everyone.

*Don't be so quick to judge, so quick to turn the other cheek because blessings come when you least expect them.*

Read between the lines the next time he crosses your path, for this man, despite his exterior, may just be HEAVEN SENT!

Learn more about this author, Mrs. Moody.
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