My 5-year-old kid adored visiting Waffle House, but that day was unlike any other.
As we waited for our food to come, my son Josiah noticed a man in worn-out clothes sitting outside.
Curious, he asked me what the man was doing on the street, to which I responded that he could be homeless.
Josiah, who was just five years old, was eager to grasp what that meant.
“He doesn’t have a home,” I replied, adding that he probably doesn’t have any food either.
Josiah was perplexed, but he went outside without hesitation and told the man that he might eat with us.
The man appeared perplexed, and the entire diner stared at Josiah, waiting to see what would happen. I then informed the man he was welcome to join us for supper.
When he entered, Josiah ordered the largest burger for him.
But, before the man took a bite, Josiah replied, “Wait, we need to pray first.” And in the middle of the Waffle House, my 5-year-old kid lowered his head and murmured a blessing.
At that point, one by one, the remaining diners began paying for their meals and left money on the counter. The truck driver sat opposite us and urged the waitress, “Make sure he has enough for breakfast tomorrow.” An elderly lady put $20 on the counter and stated, “For anyone else who might need it.”
The waitress looked astonished. She claimed that in her 12 years at the diner, she had never seen anything like this.
I felt like the most proud mommy right there.
Josiah’s actions had a far-reaching impact.
Josiah, pleased to have made a new friend, took a mouthful of the man’s hamburger and asked him whether he enjoyed it. “The best burger I’ve ever had,” he continued, fighting back tears.
Before we departed, Josiah handed him his favorite sweater. “You can have it,” he replied. “In case you get cold on the streets.”
As we drove home, my 5-year-old asked me whether he had done something good.
“You did a wonderful thing, sweetheart,” I whispered as I kissed his forehead.
