It was a few days before Christmas. The shopping malls were busy and Christmas cheer was high. As shoppers headed to their cars they tried to avert their eyes away when they saw David. Many times David tried to approach busy shoppers only to be ignored, meet with a shake of their head, or was presented with pocket change. At this time of year someone was always asking shoppers for money.

A young couple with a baby boy came out of the mall and headed for their older model Saturn. Quickly, David approached them, spilling out his words before they could hide behind their car doors. “I’m not a weirdo or anything. I just need a ride. I have a job opportunity and I have to be there within an hour.”

As the young husband agreed to drive David to his destination, his wife had a look of nervousness. Sitting in the back seat of the Saturn she kept watching David as he spoke. He had curly brown hair, wore an earring, and had slightly wrinkled clothes. Although he had an odor of the streets about him he did not smell of alcohol or appear intoxicated in any way. She wanted to trust that her husband had made the right decision by giving this stranger a ride.

“I’m from Oregon,” David began. “The first day I got here, I was mugged. at the bus station. Everything I had was stolen. I’ve been living on the streets since. You wouldn’t believe how people treat you when your homeless. It’s like you’re an animal or something.”

The young wife began to regret her previous judgement even more as David continued, “Someone told me about this handy man position. I have to be there before six o’ clock or they may not be gone.”

In a slightly run down neighborhood the young wife’s fears began to return. “Do you think he’s coming back?” she asked her husband. “He’s been in that house a long time.” Although it seemed like forever on that dark street itt had really been no more than three minutes.

Five minutes later, David came out of the house saying he had the job and asking if he could be dropped off at his temporary home. “I’d like to pay you back for your kindness, “ David offered.

The young man refused. He was happy to help David when he was needed. He would have done it for anyone.

“God bless you,” David said as he left the car. “May God bless you. Merry Christmas and thank you.”

With the elegance of a fine gentleman David pulled back the seat and reached his hand out to help the young lady into the front of the car. For a brief second he looked into her eyes and whispered words of meaning, “Do not worry so much, Jenny. You are doing a fine job in your life. God is pleased with you. Continue to take good care of that sweet baby of yours.”

Jenny was startled by his words. How did he know her? She had never told him her name. Tears moistened her cheeks as she as a sense of peace came over her. She smiled at David and waved “goodbye” to him.

Pulling away from the curb Jenny’s husband adjusted his mirror as he took one last look at David. David raised his hand and slowly faded. An angel had returned home.