Noel

I have a great friend named Noel who has cerebral palsy. He has never read the bible and doesn't go to church, yet, I can say with complete certainty I have never met a man who is closer to God than him. Every Wednesday from spring through fall, he gets up extra early, showers and dresses, has breakfast and takes the 6am bus to Westmount in order to be the first in the area to sort through recycling boxes for cans and bottles he can return to the store to make some extra money to live on. I love to walk through the streets with him. He is a model of determination as he drags his frail body and oversized cart along his route. Through their interaction with Noel I am able to connect with the humanity of so many people we encounter on his route who do everything in their power to help him on his journey. I can't speak for others, but, personally I feel like every time I leave an encounter with Noel, I have just been in the presence of God.