Article December 22, 2014 Issue

An outstretched hand

Cheryl Ranson

First appeared as a Web Original on October 17, 2014.

One day at a local business, I encountered a man who appeared very intoxicated. Since he was unwilling to leave, I instinctively reached out my hand, gently inviting him to walk with me to the door.

As we went outside hand-in-hand and sat on a low wall nearby, I silently thanked God for the impulse that had led me to treat this man with kindness. His belligerence melted, making way for a heart-to-heart conversation that was effortless and sweet. When the police came to pick him up, he went with them willingly and with dignity. All evidence of drunkenness was gone.

What took place that day may not seem remarkable. But it was undeniable to me that my small gesture was more than a human act that happened to work. For one thing, I was pretty shy around strangers—not one to reach out easily, especially in sticky situations. And this man, while not frightening, appeared dirty and rough-looking.

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