I woke up today to a cold house. I live in northern Indiana, and this morning the outside temperature is 20 degrees. One step onto the cold ceramic floor and I knew we had a problem. Our furnace was not functioning.

After checking the furnace ourselves, we knew we were out of our league, so we called a service technician. Thankfully, we’re experienced enough of such things enough to know it’s faster and more efficient to get busy outsourcing.

Once that was set up, I began to think about how fortunate we are to have a home that is usually heated. I had an overwhelming feeling that there was some sort of vitally important message for me inside this problem. I said a quick prayer of gratitude for all the conveniences I have in my life, and proceeded to shower and get ready for my day.

On my drive to my first appointment, it felt almost surreal – in slow motion. As I was driving, it began to snow. Not the kind that slowly travels to the ground, but the thick, heavy snow that covers quickly. I noticed how beautiful it is, and then thought of all the people who live outside with no real home – and how they must view the continual snow as a curse.

It wasn’t much longer when I came upon a scene I will never forget. It was a 5 lane, busy road, full of morning traffic. In the far left lane, and into the adjacent lane, there was a man with a shopping cart full of aluminum cans and other miscellaneous collected items. A pickup truck was stopped, and the driver of the truck was giving the homeless man something. As traffic slowed, I was able to get right up next to this scene. I could see the kind stranger giving the homeless man several warm pats on the back, grinning ear to ear. The homeless man was smiling too.

Mind you, all this in the middle of blinding snow and cold. Here was the message I knew I needed to receive.

I couldn’t help but smile myself, thinking about the kindness that exists in the world. We get so caught up in our busy world, and the media tells us so many sad stories that we forget about those that simply do the right thing.

I continued driving, and proceeded to see two more homeless people being helped by strangers. Is it that my consciousness was heightened toward the plight of the homeless because of my furnace issue? Or is this sort of thing happening all the time, right in front of me?

I know that I take a lot of things for granted. I think it’s natural to do so. I am so grateful that today, I was brought these wonderful lessons. I learned that homeless people are not always miserable, and that but for the grace of God, there go I.