A "HOMELESS" WOMAN

Our pastor's wife pulled into the parking lot of the local grocery to get a few things for dinner. She was in a particular hurry as she had just picked up some of her children from school and had to get some of them to after school lessons. She was occupied with the thoughts, details and responsibilities of the day.

When she pulled into the parking lot that day she noticed a *homeless* woman standing at the south doors to the market. Cindy was acquainted somewhat with the *wanderer*, had often run into her at the market and given her change when she could. In a glance Cindy knew it was her by the long ragged coat and dirty hair. Cindy was in a hurry and did not wish to encounter the woman today, too many things to do and prepare for. Cindy hoped the woman at the doors would not notice or recognize her, if she did, Cindy knew she would lock onto her and ask for money. Cindy groaned and gathered the children and told them all to hurry to the north doors to avoid the woman.

Cindy was relieved when they made it inside the market without attracting the attention of the woman and quickly went about her shopping, determined to get out just as silently.

When the clerk had been paid and the bags loaded into the cart Cindy breathed deeply and sadly knowing in her heart that she was wrong for trying to avoid the woman, but just didn't have the patience to face her. She picked up her pace and nearly flew out the doors of the market with a resolved vigor to reach her van before being noticed by the woman. Just as she reached the van and just as Cindy was about to breathe a sigh of relief she felt a tug at her sleeve. Cindy winced, knowing without turning to look, what and who it was at her elbow. Cindy closed her eyes and feeling guilty uttered a quick prayer "Please help me get through this quickly."

Cindy turned to meet the woman face to face not 10 inches away. Cindy studied the woman's face, her weathered and aged wrinkles, her clear and tired eyes and felt more guilty as she peered into the woman's years of trials.

"Do you have any money for me today?"

"I'm sorry, I used all of my spare change inside, maybe next time." Cindy was still trying to hurry out of there. What happened next however changed the course of life for Cindy, it changed her views, her perspective her devotion and her understanding of life and for all those around her. What happened next was what she least expected from this *homeless* woman. What happened next surprised Cindy, wife of a pastor more than anyone could have known.

"That's okay, could we say a little prayer together then?"

<BACK TO STORIES

<GLORY LAND

<HOME


	A "HOMELESS" WOMAN Our pastor's wife pulled into the parking lot of the local grocery to get a few things for dinner. She was in a particular hurry as she had just picked up some of her children from school and had to get some of them to after school lessons. She was occupied with the thoughts, details and responsibilities of the day. When she pulled into the parking lot that day she noticed a homeless woman standing at the south doors to the market. Cindy was acquainted somewhat with the wanderer, had often run into her at the market and given her change when she could. In a glance Cindy knew it was her by the long ragged coat and dirty hair. Cindy was in a hurry and did not wish to encounter the woman today, too many things to do and prepare for. Cindy hoped the woman at the doors would not notice or recognize her, if she did, Cindy knew she would lock onto her and ask for money. Cindy groaned and gathered the children and told them all to hurry to the north doors to avoid the woman. Cindy was relieved when they made it inside the market without attracting the attention of the woman and quickly went about her shopping, determined to get out just as silently. When the clerk had been paid and the bags loaded into the cart Cindy breathed deeply and sadly knowing in her heart that she was wrong for trying to avoid the woman, but just didn't have the patience to face her. She picked up her pace and nearly flew out the doors of the market with a resolved vigor to reach her van before being noticed by the woman. Just as she reached the van and just as Cindy was about to breathe a sigh of relief she felt a tug at her sleeve. Cindy winced, knowing without turning to look, what and who it was at her elbow. Cindy closed her eyes and feeling guilty uttered a quick prayer "Please help me get through this quickly." Cindy turned to meet the woman face to face not 10 inches away. Cindy studied the woman's face, her weathered and aged wrinkles, her clear and tired eyes and felt more guilty as she peered into the woman's years of trials. "Do you have any money for me today?" "I'm sorry, I used all of my spare change inside, maybe next time." Cindy was still trying to hurry out of there. What happened next however changed the course of life for Cindy, it changed her views, her perspective her devotion and her understanding of life and for all those around her. What happened next was what she least expected from this homeless woman. What happened next surprised Cindy, wife of a pastor more than anyone could have known. "That's okay, could we say a little prayer together then?" <BACK TO STORIES <GLORY LAND <HOME