Just before Christmas my wife and I were exiting a local mall and a man was standing on the corner with a cardboard and marker sign requesting work, due to his need.  My sweet wife pointed him out to me.  We normally keep Target gift cards in our cars for just such an opportunity.  She parked the car while I walked over and introduced myself, handed him the gift card and asked him if I could pray for him.  Mark began by saying that yes, he would love to pray with me.  I asked him a few questions so I could pray in a more specific manner.  I wanted to know why he was homeless and if there was any specific way I could pray.  He was honest with me, unusually so.  He was drug addicted and without work.  We took some time to pray, to talk about options for care and some of the local places where he could get ongoing care.  I asked God to heal him of his addiction and provide for his needs and to reveal how much He loved him.

As I began to make my apologies for having to leave, the wife and hundred things were waiting, Mark commented to me how very nice it was of me to take some time to be with him and really listen to him.  He was actually near tears as he said this to me.  I was actually feeling a little sad because no miracle, or power manifestation, had happened when I prayed for him.  Mark returned my “Merry Christmas” with an equally emphatic blessing of his own as we parted.  As I walked away I was aware that the Lord was pleased with what I had done, simply because I had given myself to Mark for a moment.  Time is life and when we stop to notice and share our lives with another person we give a great gift, often the most needed of gifts. There are many ways you can give this Holiday season, but sometimes the simple ways are the most profound. When love starts to move our hearts we start to see people differently, we start to realize that simple human contact, a moment spent well, is a great gift.