First Baptist Church of Herndon

Just Across the Street

Linda Soller | Jul 05, 2021

The young man could easily walk to his office, the metro, shopping, and dining. He felt safe, secure, and connected to his middle-class neighborhood. He was living the dream. Even his mom was happy with his choice of locations. On this morning he followed his routine pattern. Up early, a short journey on his treadmill, shower, dress and head out the door. He would stop at the McDonald’s he passed to pick up his breakfast. Today felt like a large coffee day. Note to self, learn to make decent coffee at home, he thought as he threw his backpack on and locked his apartment door. 

McDonald’s was busy as usual but more so in the drive thru. He placed his sausage egg and cheese muffin in his pack to eat later at his desk. The morning was hot and humid, a typical northern Virginia summer morning. As he walked along, buds in his ears, he happened to look up. Sitting in the median of the busy street was an old man. He sat on what appeared to be overly stuffed brown paper bags. He wore a large straw hat for sun protection, but already looked miserably hot. The young man glanced at the crosswalk connecting the heavily used trail on either side of the street, and it was empty. There was a break in the traffic. Without really pausing or seriously thinking he dashed over to the median. The old man stood as the young man handed him a few dollars. He nodded a thank you and sat back down.  With the same spontaneity, the young man dashed back just across the street to complete his short morning walk to work. His mom would approve. 

We sit and wonder what God will call us to do. We can’t even imagine how we could serve him. We ask ourselves where could we make a difference?  Maybe the answer is just across the street.

Be the difference in the world! :o)