THE BLANKET

May 5, 2020

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Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 NIV 

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I had seen the homeless man sitting in the wheelchair on the corner. I had passed him by on my way to work. I had said, “Good morning,” but I couldn’t bring myself to ask, “How are you?” I even doubted the wheelchair was necessary. Maybe it was a prop used to garner sympathy and perhaps a few dollars.

 

One cold, rainy night, Chad came in and asked me if I would make hot chocolate, which I often do for my children in the winter. He ordered it to go. He asked if I had an old blanket he could borrow. “Of course,” I said. I would do anything for my children. He pulled the raggedy blanket from the closet shelf, picked up his hot chocolate, said, “Thanks, Mom,” and left before I could hug him good-bye. Always in a hurry, that boy! 

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The next morning dawned, still wet and dreary. Complaining to myself about having to retrieve my umbrella, I trudged off down the street. On the corner, still sat the homeless man, only covering his lap was the blanket I had lent Chad. Over his whole body was a clear tarp that I recognized from Chad’s truck. On the ground to his right, the empty hot chocolate mug rolled in the gravel with the wind. 

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MY CHILDREN. Those two words indicted my soul. I would do anything for my children. Yet this man was a child of God, and as such, a child of mine. I vowed to bring him lunch the next day, but when I got to the corner, it was empty. I had missed my chance to help a stranger. My child, however, had perhaps entertained an angel.