A Stranger with a Story & Cash without Explanation

     Tonight, I took a train into Chicago. My trips into the city are always enjoyable and each trip has its unique moments. This evening produced a unique moment involving a man begging for money outside Union Station. My encounter with the man prompted me to think more deeply about humanization and salvation. The brief encounter went as follows...
  
     I walk out of Union Station in search of my friend. Before I have the opportunity to reach into my pocket in order to retrieve my cell phone and call my friend, a man approaches me. The man appears to be close to my age and is smoking a cigarette. He begins to tell me how he is not from the Chicago area. Apparently his bus from Madison dropped him off in Chicago, but proceeded to transport his luggage to his house in Indiana. The individual then requests $11 for a bus ticket. (I was skeptical of his story from the beginning.) Nonetheless, I reach into my wallet and handed over a couple of dollar bills. He had told me in the brief conversation that he would pay me back if I gave him my mailing address. I tell him not to worry about it. The man then walks up to another guy and begins to retell his story. I carry on with life and proceed to call my friend to find her location.
  
     I almost immediately considered my failure to mention my faith in Jesus Christ. In addition, I began questioning whether I gave the man some cash with the pure intention of helping him. (Perhaps I gave the guy some money simply to get him away from me.) These thoughts led to deeper questions concerning the effectiveness of holistic ministries in proclaiming the message of the gospel.
     Many attribute the following statement to St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel always, if necessary, use words." I disagree. How is the recipient of Christian service to hear the gospel, if it is not presented with words? As a Christian, I handed a stranger some money. That stranger has no idea that I am a Christian. I failed to communicate in word the love of Jesus Christ that compelled me to show compassion.
     I'm still pondering the issues that arose in my mind tonight. However, I believe the experience was a good reminder of the necessity of communicating the gospel in word, not only good deeds.