Meet Cloud

"You know what, I wish all people did what you did."
"What did I do?"
"You looked us in the eyes, and treated us like real human beings."

This is Cloud, and these are the first words he said to me today. Isn't that crazy? We spend our days wishing for a new car, or a new job, or the latest iphone, and all these people wish for is to be treated like a human being. 

Cloud is a 39 year old man who struggles with drug addiction. As we shared a meal together, Cloud told me about how he got mixed up in drugs years ago. He had tears in his eyes as he began to tell me the life he'd lost over drugs. He lost 2 children, a loving girlfriend, his home, 2 jobs, vehicle, and friends. He fought back tears as he explained that all he wanted to do was to quit drugs. "The power of Satan is so strong, but I know the power of God is stronger. Please, Please pray for me." He said. "This is no one's fault but my own, so don't feel sorry for me, just pray for me." As he continued to talk, my heart broke for him. "You have no idea how hard it is to try and get off streets and off drugs, and feel like no one in the world cares for you." Wow, that one hit deep. Here was a 39 year old man who was on the verge of tears because he just wanted someone to acknowledge him, someone to care about him. As we finished visiting, I shared some words of encouragement, a hug, and promised him I would share his story, so others could pray for him too. Through more teary eyes, and the biggest smile, he managed to say Thank you.

It could be so easy for us to judge Cloud. So easy for us to say, "Well you did it to yourself," and you would be right to say he did it. Heck, Cloud himself admitted it. But see that's the thing, we could spend all day judging the homeless people and be left feeling angry and empty. Or, instead, next time we pass by them we could share a smile, say hello, or even just acknowledge them. Your smile alone may be enough to plant the seeds of hope for them, and who knows, maybe years down the road your smile is what a triggered a series of positive events in their lives. Saint Mother Theresa said it best, "We may not be able to do great things, but we can all do small things with great love." Besides,  you never know when you may be greeting an angel among us.