Profound moment in traffic

Now that I live here on the Westside I am growing more accustomed to the fact that it takes forever to get just about anywhere.

The other day I was sitting in the long line of traffic waiting to get onto the freeway. There was a man with a sign that read "I like being here about as much as you like seeing me here." Further down the sign read "Homeless, drug-free, anything helps." This man has become somewhat of a fixture at the Bethany entrance to Hwy 26. This wasn't the first time I had encountered him there- shivering in the cold, holding his sign which bore such words of truth.

I had plenty of time to think about this man as I slowly inched closer to the entrance light. I started to think about his life- I wondered: "What kind of events have occured in his life which led him to the this point? Does he have a family? Where does he sleep at night? Does he get any sleep?" I can never sleep when I am cold- I am sure he is always beyond cold.

I was getting closer and was thankful that I had cash on me (a rare occurance in and of itself) and glad that I just happened to be in the lane close to him. I rolled down my window and handed him what little I had, wishing I could do more for him.

I smiled and said "God bless you." The man's eyes lit up as he replied, "He does. He blesses me every day in ways that continually amaze me...Thank you." He smiled back and continued, "God bless you too and be safe."

The light turned green and I was thrust onto the freeway off to live my "busy life" humbled and amazed by this man's simple and profound words.