The man in the doorway

Home > Thoughts > Lent > The man in the doorway

March 18th, 2nd Friday in Lent

18 March, 2022

I noticed a young man huddled in an overcoat and a blanket in a shop doorway. Although it was quite cold that evening I was in one of my better moods, so I stopped, and sat beside him.

I was surprised, when viewed him close up, he was much younger than he had first appeared. I gave him some money, and I offered him a cigarette. With a little prompting, his story poured out of him: where he was from, his family problems, how he came to be where he was, and what his hopes were for the future. He was a very gentle hurt soul and very appreciative for my interest.

Eventually, I had to leave. When I got up to go, I searched my pockets to give him some more change but was completely taken off guard by what happened next. He insisted that I keep my money for some other deserving person along the road. He was ‘flush enough’ for now’ he said
‘You have given me something more precious than money’..
And I replied: ‘And you, me mate’

Jack Mc Ardle,

Pointing the finger