After graduating from Florida A&M University (FAMU), I had a M.A. in Applied Social Science, but I did not have any new experiences. So, what was I to do? I still had responsibilities. My son and daughter were in college, but I still had a wife and myself to support. I decided I could learn something new through volunteerism.

I volunteered at one of the leading hospitals, in customer services. They dealt with patients who had hospital debt in the thousands and no way to repay. One of my old acquaintances who was now a regional store manager, offered me a store manager’s position. It is easy to go back to what you know. There are always retail jobs.

My first store was in a blight area that had apartments, older houses, a convention center, and an Air Force installation across the busy highway. In the middle of the parking lot was a fast food restaurant. Behind the store was a wooded area where several homeless guys lived.

My first encounter with them was when they came into the store and bought several large bottles of generic mouth wash. This was a daily buy. I was naïve.  I had no idea that they were substituting it for whisky. They got a better buzz for less money. This went on for weeks.

A new law was passed that bartenders could be sued for selling too much alcohol to a patron who was involved in an accident. I knew they would not be driving, but there was a busy four lane highway in front of the store. I felt culpable. I told them they could not make these purchases any longer. I would buy them food instead.

I used to go to work early so I could spend time with them. Each had a different story to tell.  The police would round them up monthly for a few days. One I will call Sam. He said that when he is in jail he does not think about drinking, he looks and feels great. As soon as he gets out, he starts all over.

Paul had a different story. He drove a dump truck for a living. One day at lunch he had too much to drink, had an accident and a lot of people got hurt. He lost his livelihood, his family and was left homeless.

He could live with his brother if he could follow rules. His brother has a family, and he is not going to allow coming in drunk all times a night. Each one of their friends gave the same story. The common denominator was that they could not follow the rules of their benefactor. Not every situation is as clear.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. (1 Cor 18:10)