Last night, I had an encounter that reminded me just how transformative small acts of kindness can be. It all started in the Britton Plaza parking lot. I noticed a man waiting to cross the street and, after letting him pass safely, I parked my car. As I rolled down the window, he waved at me with a mixture of hope and hesitation.
“Hello. My name is John,” he said. “I’m 39 and I’m gay. I won’t hurt you; I don’t do bad things. You’re safe. I’ve been homeless for a long time, but this week I got keys to an apartment with help from a group. I don’t do drugs, smoke, or drink. I’m just trying to get $9 for some basic groceries at Dollar Tree.”
His honesty struck me deeply. Moved, I handed him $10. The gratitude that lit up his face was immediate, and when he asked if I would pray for him, I agreed without hesitation. His repeated thanks were heartfelt, but as he started to walk away, I felt a sudden impulse.
“John?” I called. He turned, eyes wary but curious. “Can I take you grocery shopping?”
His voice trembled as he replied, “That would be nice.” By the time he reached my car, tears were streaming down his face.
We walked together through Publix, and he admitted he felt nervous about going into the store “so disheveled.” I reassured him that it was perfectly okay. As we strolled the aisles, he shared pieces of his life story: growing up in Key West, caring for his mother who had MS until she passed, and navigating life alone ever since. He spoke of searching for work but being blocked by a criminal record tied to past struggles with homelessness.
John was restrained, picking only what he needed—eggs, milk, bread, and hot dogs. I encouraged him to take a few extras and even added cereal, face wash, and reusable canvas totes to his cart. Together, we spent about 20 minutes and $46, but the joy on his face felt like he had just won the lottery. His gratitude was overwhelming; he kept expressing how blessed he felt, and I realized the moment had grown beyond groceries—it was about dignity, hope, and human connection.
As we parted ways, him waiting for the bus and me heading for my own shopping, I couldn’t help but reflect. In a world full of challenges, it often takes stepping outside our comfort zones to make a real difference. A small gesture—a dollar, a shopping trip, a conversation—can ripple far beyond what we can see. And in that moment, I was reminded that kindness is what keeps the world turning, even in the toughest of times.
Sometimes, all it takes is listening, caring, and acting. And that is exactly what John deserved—and what he found that night.
