On my way home from work, I noticed a man sitting at a bus stop. I pulled into a nearby parking lot and began walking towards him. As I was approaching this man, I noticed several grocery bags. Some were sitting next to him while a few were spread open on a bench. As I sat down, I was distracted by the bologna sandwich and mustard bottle between us. When I finally got a good look at this man, I couldn't decide if he had been in a car wreck or a fight. His right eye was badly bruised and the white of his eye was completely red. There was dried blood over a cut on his lip which made me think that this was a recent event. He told me that he had recently been in an altercation trying to help someone. It didn't take long to discover that he is homeless and often will stay in the shelters. My guess is that after the altercation he chose to get away for the day by leaving the downtown area. When I asked this man what would happen if he were to die, he was quite honest. He repeatedly informed me that he was not living right. At this point it became clear that he needed grace. I could have hammered home that he was a sinner, but he had all ready been brought to this point. He didn't need my help. Before I had a chance to really begin sharing, another man (clearly not homeless) approached and commented to the homeless man, "I thought that was you! What are you doing all the way over here?" Obviously, they knew each other. I left the man with a tract and asked him to read it when he had time. Sometimes there is no need to explain to someone they are a sinner. Law to the proud and grace to the humble.
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