I’m only scratching the surface. There are bigger and better stories about things he’s done. Most stories nobody knows, not even his wife—who told these to me.

They don’t know when he started, but somewhere along the way he did. Maybe it began when he’d give handfuls of money to the homeless man at the Circle K.

Every morning after filling his car, he’d give spare change to the man with the wiry beard. A few bucks here. A few there.

They became friends. Their conversations got longer. Good talks were appreciated by both parties.

One day, he decided to take the man to lunch. They ate sandwiches on a curb. It did something to him.

Soon, he was looking for people to give money to. Anyone. Then there were the flat tire changes.

That all started by accident. The first time he pulled over it was for a woman and her newborn. Something made him do it.

He took care of her car while she rocked her baby. She was late for work. She tried to pay him. Instead, he paid her.

It embarrassed the woman.

“This isn’t a gift,” he pointed out. “It’s a thank-you.”

“For what?”

“For being a good mother.”

From then on, he carried orange cones in his trunk and a hydraulic jack. Sometimes, he changed three tires a week. Sometimes more. Changing tires became his thing.

Then there was the time at the fast-food restaurant. He was there to get a to-go supper with his wife, on their way out of town.

He noticed a family enter behind him. There were six or seven of them, dressed in faded clothes. He couldn’t quit looking at them.

When he paid the cashier for his order, he left two hundred dollars and whispered, “See that family? Tell’em their meal is free BEFORE they order.”

“But,” said the cashier. “You gave me too much.”

“Keep it,” he said.

He slipped out the side door.

And that’s how he came to start leaving bills at cash registers all over town. We’re talking supermarkets, gas stations, convenience stores, coffee shops.

Speaking of coffee. He was in Nashville, Tennessee, once on business. He was downtown. A girl was sitting on the sidewalk, holding a cardboard sign.

“Sir,” she said. “I only need one more quarter to have enough for a cup of coffee.”

“Coffee?” he said. “Isn’t there anything else you need more than coffee?”

“Sure,” she said. “But I haven’t tasted coffee in a long time. I just miss it sometimes.”

She couldn’t have been more than twenty-five years old.

He went inside a Starbucks and purchased a gift card. He handed the card to her. That card had a lot of money on it.

I’m only scratching the surface. There are bigger and better stories about things he’s done. Most stories nobody knows, not even his wife—who told these to me.

There was a young widow without a vehicle, who inherited a used van for her birthday. A foster child who received a new wardrobe from an anonymous donor. The single mother who got a laptop to help her finish college.

The homeless man who needed a bus ticket to see his daughter in Miami. The elderly lady who needed a wheelchair ramp built onto her mobile home.

He remained anonymous. And his bank account was never fat. He lived in a small home.

Men with hearts like his aren’t often noticed in this world. If you’d seen him in a crowd, you might not have even looked twice.

His funeral reception was well attended.

But his homecoming party was even bigger.

33 comments

  1. Bill Duke - February 26, 2018 7:34 am

    Wonderful your stories inspire and relax me. You are truly blessed!

    Reply
  2. Sue Cronkite - February 26, 2018 9:38 am

    We need lots of people like him. The economy has gone to pot. People can’t make enough money to live on.

    Reply
  3. Sherry - February 26, 2018 11:20 am

    Helping someone helps us more….

    Reply
    • Wendy Franks - February 26, 2018 11:37 pm

      So very true, and especially for the gifts given anonymously.

      Reply
  4. Marty from Alabama - February 26, 2018 11:54 am

    This man, whoever he may be, is a true giver. He prefers that no one knows of his good deeds; however the One that does know is the One that matters. I think there is a Bible verse that says something about not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing. In other words, don’t toot your own horn.
    Thanks, as always, Sean and have a good day.

    Reply
  5. Connie - February 26, 2018 11:58 am

    Beautiful. That’s all.

    Reply
  6. Laurence w church - February 26, 2018 12:31 pm

    Thanks, made my morning

    Reply
  7. Rick Butler - February 26, 2018 12:41 pm

    Love these stories and look forward to them everyday.

    Reply
  8. Debra - February 26, 2018 1:36 pm

    There’s something pretty nice about giving something to someone who will never know who you are. Giving is receiving, isn’t it.

    Reply
  9. Mary Calhoun - February 26, 2018 2:27 pm

    Now that’s what I call true tithing. Making a difference requires action.

    Reply
  10. Ellouise Pennington - February 26, 2018 3:04 pm

    WoW! Thank you

    Reply
  11. Sandi in FL - February 26, 2018 3:10 pm

    How wonderful that on seemingly ordinary days a wonderful person does extraordinary deeds to assist their fellowman!

    Reply
  12. lapaylor - February 26, 2018 3:28 pm

    oh no, we need more people like this. It’s the daily things that are needed to comfort us, to make us feel human. If a person had just stopped and changed my tire, they might have changed my life because so many negative things happen to me.
    LeeAnna at Not afraid of Color

    Reply
  13. Jack Darnell - February 26, 2018 5:01 pm

    I bet you ’cause’ more good Samaritans than you could shake a stick at. without fail, a good visit. THANKS

    Reply
  14. Diana Williams - February 26, 2018 5:05 pm

    I love to hear of people like this! It makes my heart happy! It makes me believe that God hasn’t given up on us yet. Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Pam - February 26, 2018 5:19 pm

    Humbled and inspired
    Many thanks for this, Sean
    ❤️

    Reply
  16. Jody - February 26, 2018 5:39 pm

    Thanks Sean. My heart is filled with gratitude for the uplifting stories that you write ?

    Reply
  17. Pat - February 26, 2018 6:10 pm

    Reminds me of my mother who always said that if I did something for someone, just keep it to myself. It feels so good to know that only you and God know you did that good deed!

    Reply
  18. Judy Clark - February 26, 2018 7:27 pm

    Oh how I wish I had money to do that, just as he did!!! Nothing could make you feel better that that! Again, thank you Sean once more.

    Reply
  19. Charles L. Scott II - February 26, 2018 8:10 pm

    Really a good story Sean, well Done!!!

    Reply
  20. Kaye - February 26, 2018 8:45 pm

    The hands and feet of Jesus❤

    Reply
    • Wendy Franks - February 27, 2018 12:02 am

      Speaking of Jesus and speaking of anonymousness go hand-in-hand. We may never fully know who was responsible for a kindness that came our way or one we witnessed, but we DO know the source of all that’s good & kind.
      Blessings to you for recognizing that.

      Reply
  21. Stanley Dennon Tomlin - February 27, 2018 12:31 am

    If everyone just helped one person out , think what a difference that would make !! Thanks Sean for brightening my day !

    Reply
  22. Kathy - February 27, 2018 12:43 am

    ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  23. Perri Williamson - February 27, 2018 11:03 am

    ❤️

    Reply
  24. Rose - February 28, 2018 12:03 am

    Sounds like my brother! He is my hero!

    Reply
  25. Mary Ellen Hall - February 28, 2018 12:51 am

    I LOVE THIS STORY SEAN!! Actually, brought tears to my eyes!! WE SO NEED to hear MORE about people like this SWEET, KIND MAN!! AN ACTUAL ANGEL ON EARTH!!❤
    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!!

    Reply
  26. Celeste Sheppard - February 28, 2018 4:33 pm

    Sean, you did it again! There is so much evil in this world. It seems like it is screamed at you all the time on TV, the newspaper, and the internet. We need you to remind us of all the good there is that we don’t hear about. Thank you. Please never stop writing!

    Reply
  27. Mary Lee - March 4, 2018 12:23 am

    Wonderful story. Wonderful man. Beautiful. I try but it as good as this guy. More tears. Thanks.

    Reply
  28. sam smith - March 22, 2018 3:11 pm

    Sean, your words are such a huge blessing to so many. The Holy Spirit is using you well to convey encouragement to all of us. Your words, His words, make me think about what I should be doing for others. Thank you. Thank you.

    Reply
  29. Ashley E. - May 10, 2018 11:31 am

    This reminds me of my daddy. Angels on Earth.

    Reply
  30. unkle - May 10, 2018 4:46 pm

    I put a comment up that if you ar willing and able to load your tool box , jack, 4 way lug wrench, jumper cables , jug o antifreeze ect, ect . Be a well prepared boy scout or a moderate Good Samaritan. A week had not passed I had a trailer full of fresh cut sawmill boards. I see a truck left front tire jacked up , someone in passengers seat. I crused right by. The words of my own post convicted me being a HYPOCRITE ! I turned around and went back , pulled over in front of the truck. 3/4 ton Gmc truck . Polite young man steped out and I howdied him. He asked why I had stoped , short answer was to see what you needed. He had a spare but it did not fit , tire in the air was worn to the nub then run till you could put your hand in it . Well now all the kings horsemen could not fix that tire . I suggest I take the flat tire and he to used tire shop in Dothan. He thanked me and said his friend from Ozark was on the way with correct spare . I introduced myself and we shook hands . As I was leaving he GOD BLESSED ME , I said thanks son and left , humbled. Sometimes we can help someone, sometimes we can’t. But we can almost allways offer .

    Reply
  31. Connie - May 11, 2018 4:08 pm

    That last line. Yup!

    Reply

Leave a Comment