In LEADERSHIP magazine Mark Tidd tells about an old man who came to the back door of a house some college kids were renting. The old man’s eyes were glassy and his furrowed face glistened with silver stubble. He clutched a wicker basket holding a few unappealing vegetables. He bid the students a good morning and offered his produce for sale. They were uneasy. They made a quick purchase to alleviate both their pity and their fear.

To their chagrin, he returned the next week, introducing himself as Mr. Roth, the man who lived in the shack down the road. As their fears subsided, they got close enough to realize it wasn’t alcohol but cataracts that marbleized his eyes. On subsequent visits, he would shuffle in, wearing two mismatched right shoes, and pull out a harmonica. With glazed eyes set on a future glory, he’d puff out old gospel tunes between conversations about vegetables and religion.

On one visit, he exclaimed, “The Lord is so good! I came out of my shack this morning and found a bag full of shoes and clothing on my porch.”

“That’s wonderful, Mr. Roth!” the students said, “We’re happy for you.”

“You know what’s even more wonderful?” he asked. “Just yesterday I met some people that could use them.”

GIVING; STEWARDSHIP; BENEVOLENCE; THANKSGIVING