Today we were having lunch outdoors at a restaurant when a man, who I presume was homeless, came by our table. He asked Matt who his Mom was and Matt pointed to me. The man, who held flowers one hand and flowers and a bottle of alcohol in the other, came over to me and handed me these flowers. I said, “thank you” and he started saying the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fi.” When he was finished I thanked him for his service and he came over and gave me a fist bump. I said, “God bless you” and he stopped for a moment and his face looked grateful. He said, “yes, please pray for me,” followed by a quick story about his wounds from his time of service. I told him I would pray for him and before I could say more he was on his way with the other flowers and bottle of alcohol in his hands.

I share this with you because this man simply gave me flowers today and he asked for nothing in return but prayer. How beautiful is that?

A dear friend just said to me yesterday, “A burden shared is divided and a joy shared is multiplied.”

And so I share the joy of this man’s actions in hopes it inspires more of us to do selfless acts of love with nothing behind them but to make someone else smile. Also, I share this with you to invite you to…

pause. breathe. pray.

And to join me in praying for this generous wounded veteran who is did this random act of love today. May we pray for his healing, inside and out, and that a path back to solid ground is made for him, and that he take it. And while we are at it, may we also pray for all veterans, that their visible and invisible wounds be healed, and for all those who are doing their part to help veterans in their healing.

With gratitude and hope,

Shawn