Be kind and compassionate to one another.
—Ephesians 4:32
He was on the median at FM 1960 and Cutten Road, holding a cardboard sign: Vietnam Veteran. Out of work.
When a stalled car created gridlock, he limped through the chaos, got behind the car, pushed with all his might, then vanished.
The next day he was sitting with his back against the wall of a convenience store at the same intersection.
I got out of my car and sat down beside him. “I saw what you did yesterday,” I said; “saw you push that lady’s car into this lot.”
“God has been good to me,” he said, “so I help others any way I can.”
My eyes misted.
I slipped some money into his hand.
“Thank you,” he said.
“No. Thank you!”
He gave me a lot for my money. A thankful heart.
Gratitude is an honorable virtue;
ingratitude a dishonorable vice.