Red Light

      After what felt like a very long day of school, I got in my car, already sweating just from the five minute walk outside, and drove my normal route back to my apartment. You know that one traffic light that you just can't stand to get a red on because it literally is the longest red light in the whole world? Yeah, well for me, that light would be the intersection of State Street and University Parkway. I was coming up to the light of no return, and just like clockwork, as I was getting closer, the light switched from green, to yellow, to red. Bitter about it, mostly just because I feel defeated when I get stopped at this light, I relaxed a bit in my seat knowing that it would be a good century before I'd be driving again. But little did I know that a tender mercy from The Lord was given to me that day in the form of a red light. Just to the right of me, sitting at the corner, was an old man with a cardboard sign that read, 

"Vet in need, anything will help. God bless."

My heart immediately went out to this man. His clothes were dirty and tattered, and I noticed that all he had with him was a wheelchair and a backpack. Two lanes too far, I felt that I wouldn't have time to pull out money, run over there in the middle of traffic and give him the couple dollars that I had in my purse. A typical excuse of the typical person. As the light kept its red glow, a girl pulled up in a car behind him and got out of her car - a Wendy's bag in one hand, and in the other, one of those cardboard drink carriers with what looked like 2 drinks, and a chocolate frosty. 
With my window rolled up, and being too far away, I saw her say a few words which I could not make out, and in return the man shook his head yes, and to his reply I could know for sure.. 

"God bless you". 

Feeling very curious of what the man would do after she left, I decided to pull over into the next gas station right across the street. He put the Wendy's bag down beside him and first reached for one of the drinks. Chugging almost the whole thing in one gulp, I couldn't help but wonder when this man had last had a meal or even something to drink. Immediately after, he opened his Wendy's bag and pulled out what looked to be a few one dollar bills. He looked back to see if he could find where the girl went, or if someone was watching. A smile came across both of our faces, as he put the money in his pocket, and started to eat the food inside the bag.

My heart felt so full in that moment that before I knew it, tears were falling from my eyes. To see a girl be so selfless, nonjudgmental, unbiased, and impartial to those in need around her, it truly impacted me in more ways than one.
So many people drove by and looked the other way, but this one person who was willing to give a little of what they had to someone else, made that man's life just a little bit easier. And for that, I am grateful. 

Today, my tender mercy came in the form of a red light.

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