"I Was Sick And You Looked After Me"

When pulling up to a local pharmacy a few years ago, I noticed a young man sitting in the doorway with his belongings and a bicycle. He could not have been more than 18 years old, but something about him did not look right. He was disheveled and dirty, making me wonder if he was a runaway or homeless.

As I approached the entrance, I asked the teenager if he was okay. Looking up at me with red, glossy eyes, he said, “Yah, I’m okay. I’m just sick.”

Immediately, my heart went out to him. He had that “I don’t feel good” look in his eyes, and I thought about what I would want someone to do for my teenage son if he were in that same situation.

I asked the young man where he lived, and he named a city dozens of miles away. Next, I asked if I could buy him some medicine because, honestly, he looked miserable. But he declined my offer, saying, “Thank you, but you don’t have to do that,” which told me he did not want to burden me.

After telling the teen it was not a problem, I proceeded into the store to buy him some cold medicine and an electrolyte drink.

As I exited the pharmacy, another woman was crouched down talking to the young man, which filled my heart with joy. I was happy to see another person have compassion for this obviously hurting individual. But I was equally thankful that Jesus showed this young man how much He cared for Him, using the hands and feet of others to help meet his needs.

After placing the purchased items next to the young man, I told him I would pray for him. As I got to my car, I felt incredibly blessed to encounter this young man. It reminded me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36, when He said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

What about you? Is your heart open to helping those in need? Let me know in the comments.