I have always fancied myself a fairly charitable guy. I am one who fully recognizes the blessings that God had provided and through a variety of ways, I have tried through the years to help others less fortunate.
Most of you reading this column too have done the same in ways both large and small. I honestly think -- despite what the liberals believe -- that most Americans are truly charitable.
Sometimes that charity takes the form of a cash outlay and other times it's no more than lending a hand or giving of your time to those in need, regardless of their circumstances.
I am proud to say I was part of a Christmas Campaign in this community for 29 years. I was no more than a small player in a much larger effort to bring food and clothing and toys and more to literally thousands upon thousands of families.
But let me share a story about a young man I met this week who takes the definition of charity to a whole new level.
Let me put my cards on the table.
This young man is a minimum wage worker who comes from a low income family.
He asked me a question this week that took me by surprise.
He asked if the church I attend would feed some homeless men.
It seemed a simple question.
He then said before I could answer that the homeless men had an odor about them.
To the question of a church feeding someone in need, I answered absolutely. The issue of odor threw me a curve, but I said I was confident our church would still accept these men.
The young man told me that he regularly picks up homeless, drug-addicted men from the streets of Sikeston and tries to get them clothing or food or meet their other needs.
He took the men to a church where the men felt uncomfortable because the church members were staring.
Though unable to provide for their needs on his own, he consistently turns to others to see if someone can help these homeless men.
The young man said he was especially worried this time of year when cold weather strikes and the holidays arrive. Far too many of us -- myself included -- define charity as writing a check or buying a toy for some less fortunate child.
And despite our best intentions, this is a very passive form of charity that unfortunately is designed to make us feel better than to actually make a difference.
I walked away from our conversation with a new appreciation of the meaning of charity.
Charity is the willingness to help drug-addicted strangers who others may find offensive.
Charity is the willingness to address those less fortunate in real, practical terms with true Christian charity.
Few among us are willing to make the efforts of this single individual.
Sometimes the most important lessons in life are taught by the most unlikely of individuals.
I learned that this week.