THE MISSIONARY AND THE BUM

There once was a bum. He 
was the neighborhood drunk. 
He had a unkempt demeanor. 
His salt and pepper hair had not 
been washed in years.The 
clothes he wore were  ragged.
His shirt had giant holes in them.
He looked twice his age. In his 
drunken state he cursed every-
one that came his way.His smell 
was so horrible you might as well
say he showered in whiskey.That 
didn't bother this young missionary 
who lived nearby.Every day she would 
bring the old bum food and clothing.
She would offer him shelter as well.
"Hi sir . How are you today?"
"Why don't you just leave me alone. 
Can't you see I don't want to be 
bothered."he stated with a slur.
"Sir I'm going to leave your food and 
your clothing right here". As she said 
those words she bent down and placed 
his things on the ground.This was their
routine for well over a year.But on this
in particular day the ole drunk appear-
ed to be coherent. He was sober.As 
the young missionary approached him
she said, "Hi Sir. How are you today?"
"I'm fine ma'am. How are you?"
"I'm well Sir. Are you hungry today?"
I brought you some food and water
and some clothes and shoes."He 
shook his head no.
"Ma'am  I don't want anything.How-
ever I do appreciate it so. I'm going
home today."
His statement took her by surprise.
"Sir I didn't even know you had a 
home."
"Ma'am I do indeed have a home. 
I'm homeless by choice. I want you
to know your kindness will not go 
unnoticed."
She knew it wasn't right to judge but 
she thought to herself he has gone 
insane.
" Miss I stopped believing in God a
long time ago but your loving kind-
ness showed me God today."  
"Okay Sir.I'm going to leave these
things and I will see you later.How-
ever the next day the old bum was 
not in his usual spot. And sad-
ness overwhelmed her spirit. That 
old bum had become a big part of
her life. She grew to love him very
much. As the days went by she con-
tinued to look for him and he wasn't 
there. It was as though he dropped
off the face of the earth.Today was 
a beautiful day and she was at the
corner,  in the spot where the bum 
sat.Deep in her thoughts as she be-
gan to walk she nearly bumped into 
someone. As she was about to speak 
she saw this well groomed middle
aged man with dashing good looks.
" Hi Ma'am. How are you?" She recog-
nized the handsome stranger's voice 
instantly.
"Sir is that you?"  She asked just to
 make sure her mind wasn't playing 
tricks on her.
"Yes Ma'am it is me. I just came by
 to formally thank you for all of the
 kindness you showed to me. I was in
raggedy clothes and never once did
you show disgust. You see I am a 
millionaire that had lost his way. You 
see my wife of nearly thirty years got 
ill and passed away. In that moment I 
lost my mind because my home didn't
exist anymore."
As he finished telling his story little 
tears began to fall from her eyes.
Through small sobs she said,
 " I'm sorry for your loss. I will con-
tinue to pray to God on your behalf."
" Ma'am your prayers is why I stand 
here today.If God had not sent you 
my way I would probably still be lost. 
Please don't cry for me I will be okay". 
He reached in his pocket and pulled
out an old business card and handed
it to her.
"Take my card. Feel free to call me any-
time. All that  I have now belongs to you. 
Do you remember that day when I told
you that your loving kindness would not
go unnoticed?"
As he said those final words he turned
and left, leaving the young missionary 
dumbfounded.


 

10-29-16
Alexis Y

Copyright © Alexis Y. | Year Posted 2016