Thousands of men and women go to sleep every night without a roof over their head to keep them safe.
Homelessness is a tragic problem that affects far too many people these days.
Fortunately, even in the face of tragedy, there are incredible souls who do everything they can to make life a little bit easier for folks who don't have a home of their own, like the awesome cafe owner who hired a homeless man as a dishwasher when he just needed a second chance.
These people step up to the plate and help others who have reached their lowest and just need a little bit of basic human kindness.
The story below is about a homeless man who hunkered down in a church after the cold left his legs cracked and injured.
While he was taking sanctuary in the church, a cop came in for Mass, and immediately realized he couldn't walk by without lending a hand.
Scroll through for the full story.
The story was originally told in an Instagram post by a man named Benny Johnson, then it was eventually put up on Facebook by Love What Matters.
The sweet and simple Facebook post received 30,000 reactions from people who were awed by the kindness and brotherhood of an ordinary cop on his way to Mass.
Hundreds of people left comments, applauding the cop's actions. Scroll through below to read the words that accompanied the photo in full.
Johnson wrote:
A homeless man lay in the entryway of our church, reading the newspaper. I sat down next to him and asked if he wanted to join me for the service.
"This is my third Mass today," he said, "I'll stay out here. The music, it heals me."
I asked what needed healing. He pulled up his pant cuff & revealed the skin on his legs, which looked like cracked leather, battered by the cold and wind.
"My name is Stephen. Like the Stephen in the Bible, who was stoned. Sometimes in the cold, it feels like I'm getting hit by rocks too," he chuckled.
Stephen did not have money for a dermatologist & produced a well used, almost empty bottle of over-the-counter medicinal lotion from his worn backpack.
"This helps but it's expensive," he said.
I gave Stephen my offering plate money and we said a prayer.
In that moment, a police officer walked into the church and headed toward Stephen.
Stephen instinctively sat up straight and prepared to get hassled. I prepared to tell the officer that this man was causing no harm.
The cop stood before Stephen, reached into his gym bag and handed him a brand new Columbia jacket, saying "Stay warm."
Stephen thanked the officer and with a beaming smile, replaced his worn, dingy jacket with the new.
I returned to Mass, knowing I no longer need to pray for a miracle, I had already witnessed one.
Was your heart touched by this incredible moment? Please SHARE in honor of the nameless cop and the homeless man who slept a little bit warmer that night.
