The quote was made famous years ago by the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, but to this day, it can still teach us an important lesson.
We often judge others before really knowing their story, focusing only on their outer appearance and making assumptions about their life.
For one homeless man who spent his time outside a grocery store in Sacramento, California, he suffered the experience of being judged and rejected every day. Frederick Callison, 52, spent two years trying to find a job, sitting on a sleeping bag with resumes and a sign reading “need work and food.” It was a long struggle, until one day Michael Marteen was shopping with his wife and two children and he noticed Frederick.
What Michael would end up doing for the homeless man was incredible…
Michael noticed something unique about Frederick when he first saw him sitting outside the grocery store…
Frederick wasn’t simply asking for money, but rather was looking for a job and ready to work. Along with his resumes and sign, Frederick had a food handler’s certificate, Social Security Card and ID, proving that he was eager to gain employment.
"When I asked if I could see his resume, he hopped right up to hand one to me and then started telling me all about his experience as if it were an interview,"
Michael shared. He had personally experienced what it was like to have nothing and respected Frederick’s persistence in trying to find a job. "I've been in situations where I had nothing and had to bust my butt to get work, and there he was doing that, so I have a lot of respect for him," said Michael.
“I'd rather buy someone food, hungry looking for a job than someone begging for money with a cigarette in their hand,” Michael said on Facebook.
He bought the homeless man a sandwich, chips, some ravioli, and a jug of water. Then he decided to help Frederick further, sharing the homeless man’s resume online.
He asked friends to share Frederick’s resume, telling them that the man was willing to work and that “he deserves a shot.”
He asked friends to share Frederick’s resume, telling them that the man was willing to work and that “he deserves a shot.”
The Facebook post was seen by a cook at a pizza restaurant, and Frederick was offered a job!
True to Frederick’s determination in finding employment, he made sure he was fully prepared for his first day of work as a cook. "He was up the night before studying the menu for hours,” Michael said. "He was ecstatic about landing a job and very grateful for the opportunity."
A friend of Michael’s has offered Frederick accommodation until he is able to move into his own place, and the pizza restaurant has provided Frederick with clothing. "It's easy to look at someone and not see anything but a homeless man, but after talking to him I realized he's so much more than that," Michael said.
This story is a wonderful example that we can never really know someone’s struggle until we take a second to learn their story. Frederick was a hardworking man who deserved a second chance, and Michael not only stood in Frederick’s shoes, but he also helped the homeless man get back on his feet.
Were you inspired by Michael's kindness? SHARE with a friend who has a caring heart!
A friend of Michael’s has offered Frederick accommodation until he is able to move into his own place, and the pizza restaurant has provided Frederick with clothing. "It's easy to look at someone and not see anything but a homeless man, but after talking to him I realized he's so much more than that," Michael said.
This story is a wonderful example that we can never really know someone’s struggle until we take a second to learn their story. Frederick was a hardworking man who deserved a second chance, and Michael not only stood in Frederick’s shoes, but he also helped the homeless man get back on his feet.
Were you inspired by Michael's kindness? SHARE with a friend who has a caring heart!
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