In a time where we hear mostly of violence, evil and just bad news, and good news seems scarce, I witnessed something yesterday that needs to be shared.

I drive from St. Charles to the N. Hanley Metro-Link (Hanley is not all that far from Ferguson, for those unfamiliar with St. Louis)  just past the St. Louis Lambert Airport during the work week.   I catch the train that takes me to the Convention Center, downtown St. Louis.   In the evening I get back on the Metro at Convention Center and head back home.

Yesterday, when the red line pulled up, I boarded the train, like I do everyday, immediately noticed a young white lady (about 21 yrs of age I am guessing), she was crying, sobbing loudly.  My first thought, she had a fight with a boy friend, or someone badly hurt her feelings.  I took a seat a couple of rolls directly behind her, and contemplated, do I approach her?   Then I realized the reason for my hesitation; just a step or two behind me entered a black lady (about 55-60 yrs of age) that set just in front and on the other side of the aisle from the girl.   This woman did not hesitate, and I was watching, as if I knew she was going to speak to the girl.   I backed off (with my thoughts of approaching and just watched).   The woman asked “Are you okay?”  The girl, surprisingly, opened up, shook her head no, and said “My car has been stolen, my cell phone is gone, my purse, everything I own is gone.   I have no family, I don’t know where to go or what to do, I have no job.”  She spoke while she was sobbing.   The girl didn’t ask for anything, wasn’t pandering……she was lost and scared.

The older lady, motioned the girl over to her, gave her a hug, and I believe said a short prayer while embracing her.  “The Lady” then instructed the girl to get off at the next stop,  pointed and told her where to go, that she would get help there.   She ask, “What kind of work experience do you have?”   I didn’t hear the girls response, but I heard “The Lady” say, “I want you to come down to the Arch tomorrow morning, I will be there at 6:00 AM, I will give you an application; that is all the experience you need, they WILL hire you. ” The girl shook her head yes, still shaking, still in tears, but with more comfort, reached out to “The Lady” to shake hands but got another embrace, and said good-bye.

This “Lady” did not look around to see anyone’s reaction, it didn’t matter to her, she was there to help someone who was desperate. That was all that mattered.

In times where you only hear bad news, stories of kindness and love are not shared enough.   There are good people out there, doing wonderful things.   I mentioned the race of each of the these ladies only because of the racial hatred we seem to only hear of these days.  We don’t hear of the kindness and love that is more often expressed.   I believe something held me back from intervening because this “Lady” had more to offer the girl than I did.   I was glad it worked the way it did, the “Lady” may not have jumped in had I first.  God is alive and is working, when we ask, he will answer.   He sent this kind, loving “Lady” to assist this girl.  I really believe!