A Different Kind of Charity

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young woman and man on train

Illustrations by Katie Payne

O f all of the passengers on the crowded train, one man caught my eye. He wasn’t like the other passengers, who turned their backs to him. He was older, his head was bowed, and he was sitting alone.

I tried to ignore the pulsing of my heart, as the Spirit told me to do something for him. I thought of what I might be able to give him. I didn’t have any money, and he already had a jacket. I didn’t have anything to give. But the Spirit kept prompting me.

With my heart in my throat, I sat down next to the old man, introduced myself, and we began talking. We were still talking when we pulled into the station.

“This is my stop. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” I shook his calloused hand. It was a little cold, but it was the gentlest thing I have ever held.

“It was a pleasure talking to ya,” he replied.

My heart began to hurt as I turned to leave.

I always thought of charity as giving things to those in need, but I learned how to give pure love and received much more. I realized that charity doesn’t revolve around money. Charity is answering the Lord’s call to help someone in need.