A Change of Heart
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17)
Christmas is our chance to move closer to those in crisis, not further away. A time to notice those who are normally ignored.
Leah, a manager in a marketing and sales firm, passed a homeless shelter on her way to work but always ignored the building and the people standing outside of it. “If they can stand outside and ask for food or money, then they should be able to stand in the unemployment line!”
One day as Leah was driving to work, her car quit—right in front of the homeless shelter! She got out and looked under the hood. A man walked up to her and asked if everything was okay. “No, thanks. I just need to call AAA for assistance” she said and began to use her cell phone only to discover she had no reception. “This has to be one of the worst days of my life!” she thought. The man asked if he could look under the hood; “Sure, be my guest.”
The man found the problem and the engine was soon running. Feeling very thankful, Leah asked the man his name. “Phil,” he responded. He went on to say that he had been homeless for several months and had been unable to find work or a place to live.
Leah asked if he fixed cars for a living; he replied that fixing cars was a hobby—he had a business degree in Marketing. (Leah was shocked!) Phil went on to say that he had been searching for donors for the homeless shelter—along with a job in marketing.
As Phil turned to walk back to the shelter, Leah called out, “I have a proposition: if you come and work for me in marketing, I’ll make sure that our company becomes a regular donor for the homeless shelter.”
Phil shook Leah’s hand, “Ma’am, you have a deal, this is the best Christmas gift ever.” Leah said to Phil, “And you helped me.” Leah’s whole outlook had changed, she asked God to forgive her for her judgmental attitude.
Dr. Germaine Washington, Chair Business Administration Department