Hobo Joe had a rough life. He never knew his parents, and he never knew a day of peace until the day he met a stranger.  A soldier who once fought in one of those wars, and now he fights in a spiritual war. When Joe was a kid, he did not get much schooling.  Once home from that soul shattering war,  he just could not answer to anymore commands. Hobo Joe just wanted to be by himself and left alone. Joe never smoked, drank liquor, or took drugs. He never stole or harmed a soul in his life … until the brass demanded that a group of foreigners get extinguished.  He killed them so they couldn’t kill him. Joe did as instructed, and when he got home, everyone hated him for what he did in that war. Bewildered Joe was told to go to the VA and get disability. But Hobo wouldn’t have any of that. He was too proud, afraid, and confused, to navigate the halls of governmental requirements. So Joe ate at the soup kitchens, out of dumpsters, and he accepted a few pity coins tossed his way.  He slept at shelters, under bridges, on  concrete floors and park benches. Joe never slept easy, every night was filled with nightmares. Images of the dead and dying mixed with guilty memories of what he had done.  On an especially cold and snowy winter’s night, Joe was walking down a backstreet, snow crunching under his boots. He had that coat they gave him at the mission and those boots that were just a little too small. The shelters were full, and Hobo needed a place to sleep. Up ahead, parked in a dark alley, was an old car. From where he stood, it appeared to be abandoned. As he got closer and opened the door, he could see two figures in the back: a young woman and her 3-year-old child. The young woman screamed. “Get away! Leave us alone!” They were bundled up in some old blankets. The child was coughing. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m looking for a place to sleep. It’s cold out here.”

The woman said “This ain’t my car, my baby is sick. The doctor at the clinic gave us a prescription, I got money, but I don’t know where to get the medicine.” Hobo said “There’s a drugstore about a mile away.” The mother said,”My baby ain’t doing too good right now.” Joe replied, “I  got no money. Give me what you got, and I’ll go get your medicine.” The woman, “How do I know you won’t just take my money and go buy some liquor?” Joe admitted, “I’d never do that. I don’t drink, and I hate that stuff. Now, if I do this for you, I want you to let me sleep in that front seat there.” The woman agreed. “It’s a deal. Just stay away from me and my daughter.” She handed him the prescription and all the money she had. Hobo took the prescription and money, then headed toward the drugstore, hoping it was still open. He trekked for an hour. The snow was coming down heavily, and it turned into sleet. Joe’s feet hurt from the too-small boots. The wind whistled right through his heavy coat. His fingers stung through his thin gloves. The drugstore was still open, but the pharmacy was just closing. “Sorry sir, but we can fill that prescription tomorrow.”

“The baby is pretty sick, coughing all the time and needs it now.” The pharmacist frowned but took the prescription. A few minutes later, he came back to the counter. “That will be $37.54.” All I have is  22 bucks.” Joe was upset. “Come back when you have the rest of the money. I’ll keep it right here near the counter for you. Store closes at 9:00 p.m.” “I can’t get any more money.” Joe was screaming. “The kid needs help now!  I will climb over this counter and get the medicine the baby must have.”

A policeman entered. “What’s going on here?” The pharmacist, “This bum needs to fill a prescription, but doesn’t have the money. He threatened to take it from me.” For the next several minutes, Hobo Joe explained to the officer what had happened, how he had come upon the abandoned car with the woman and child sleeping in it, how the child was sick and needed medication. Officer Salvatore turned to the pharmacist, “What’s the cost of the medication?”
“$37.54.” The officer pulled 40 dollars from his wallet and paid for it. “Keep the damn change.” Joe reached into his pocket to give all he had.

Officer said, “Just keep the money. Give it to the lady. The weather is too harsh to be walking out there. I’ll take you back to the car.” A few minutes later, they arrived at the abandoned car. Officer Salvatore spoke with the woman for a few minutes and then turned to Hobo Joe. “I think she’s as sick as her baby is. Looks like someone beat her up. We need to take them both to the hospital.” The woman said, “I don’t have any money for hospital bills.” Officer assured. “Don’t worry about that. Let me help you into my patrol car. You both need to see a doctor.” They soon arrived at the hospital. Joe held the child while Officer Salvatore helped the woman out of the car. But only after a few steps, she fainted. He picked her up and carried her into the emergency room. An hour later, Salvatore and Joe were sitting in a waiting room for a doctor to tell them what was going on. A young doctor came out and spoke with them. “Is Emily wife or daughter to one of you?” Officer replied. “We don’t know her. We just met her tonight. She needed help.” hmmm  “Both mother and child are going to be OK. She has some fresh bruising and confided that her husband beat her.” Officer confirmed. “I see a lot of that. I want to make sure she gets all the help she needs.  Officer Salvatore turned toward Joe and was fighting back tears. “Joe, I’ve got to thank you for what you’ve done tonight.” Joe softly said. “Well, she needed help.” Officer explained. “It’s Christmas Eve, the first one without my wife. We never had kids, so I’m by myself now. I had to get out of that house. I didn’t even put up a tree this year.” He took a deep breath. “Last week, they told me I was going to have to retire at the end of next month. That hit me hard. The thought of not having anything useful to do threw me into a depression. I convinced my doctor I needed some sleeping pills for sleep. But that wasn’t what I was going to do with them. You saved my life, Joe. You showed me I could still be useful. Whatever you need, whatever you want, just let me know, and if I can, I will get it for you.”

Hobo Joe asked. “I guess I just need a ride back to that car. I’ll be sleeping there tonight.” They stood there for a long moment, looking at each other. Then Officer Salvatore smiled, “I’ve got an extra bedroom, and I’m looking for a roommate. Come and live with me.” Joe was stunned. “I don’t know about that. I kinda like being on my own.” Officer “Then just stay the night. It will be freezing inside that old car. The guest bedroom is quiet and private. I won’t bother you. We could even put up the tree.” Joe confessed. “I ain’t had a Christmas tree since I was a kid. Are you sure you want me in your home? You don’t know me.” Salvatore said, “I know this: you are a man with nothing, who was willing to help a person you just met. That’s all I need to know. Let me do this for you. Tomorrow is Christmas Day, and now, thanks to you, I will live to see it. Tonight you gave me the best present, an opportunity to be of help.”  

They both did what they could, with all that they had. Mark 12:42 “A poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to Him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” An old woman makes her way to place a few coins in the donation basket. Jesus smiles. “Good morning, dear sister. Your heart is evident in the way you give. It’s not the amount, but the intention behind it that matters.” The humble woman reflects. “I think of those who have less than I do. These coins… they may not be much, but they could help someone in need. I wish I could do more.” Each act of kindness, no matter how small, multiplies in the vast treasury of heaven. Offering what we can is the best gift of all. We all have needs that others fill at times with just a hug or a warm nod of compassion. Whatever we do to the least, prepares us to participate in a future feast. Our collected simple acts of kindness — ignite the spirit of hope in the hearts of many. Let your light shine brightly, for it has the power to guide even the lost. Go forth and share the treasures of your heart. Your light is a gift to this dark world.”