I've been struck a few times recently-
not by lightning...although apparently the odds are good-
but by those nuggets that just "get" me.
For now, just one.
But look for "The Audible Gasp" coming soon to a blogspot near you.
The man on the corner downtown.
He just needed someone to notice him.
And although I noticed, and offered him some food,
it wasn't him so much that stood out in my mind.
He brought me back to Seattle.
That was last July.
I met a young guy there -
maybe 23ish.
Not much younger than I.
He reminded me of someone dear who not long ago was in his shoes.
He was trying to camouflage himself with the newspaper boxes in front of the McDonalds.
I noticed him when I walked inside,
but noticing him wasn't enough.
I felt sick to my stomach the whole time I stood in line.
Shouldn't someone do something?
How can all of these people walk inside and order food and not doing anything?
It bothers me still how quickly I threw the "someone" and "all of these people" out, but failed to make it "I".
Will the people in the restaurant be upset if I talk to him? Maybe that would encourage him to loiter outside their doors more often?
"Really Van? Are you seriously concerned about that?"
I carried my tray to my table and joined my mom and grandma.
But I just couldn't stomach what I had on my tray.
I raised my question to them, "Do you think he's hungry?"
"Yes," one of them told me. "He was asking for money."
I got up from my chair and asked if he'd like something to eat.
The look in his eyes, and his soft, somewhat shame-filled voice told me that he would.
I wish I knew his name.
I wish he knew that I think of him often and lift him in prayer.
I won't forget the way he tucked that McDonald's bag under his jacket and walked away almost silently.
I hope I have faith and courage enough to not walk by and call "someone" to the opportunities I am given a little more often.
4 comments:
Makes me think Sara - well said.
I was at a doctor's appointment recently, and stopped at a McDonalds after and a similar thing happened. There was a young woman standing outside, and she was cryinig very quietly. I went inside and asked if she always came around here. The people said no, but they had kicked her out because she was asking for money. I picked up a few things for her. She didn't say a word, but her and the older man with her ate like they hadn't had real food in a while...it's strange to be in that circumstance. People are disgusted by those who are in need often...but it's so human to need food, help, or even a prayer.
Yeah, eh? I try really hard, if I'm not going to give anything, to at least look people in the eye when I apologize. At least I'm aware that they're there, and it makes me think harder about the decision I'm making to ignore their needs. Plus the only thing worse than being needy is being invisible and needy.
Sarah, this is a continual struggle of mine. These problems were rampant in Honduras, as you can imagine. Even here in SW ON you find it becoming more common in the cities.
The "debate" is always what really is the "best" thing to do in any given situation. Short-term solutions obviously aren't lasting. What is "right?" There are many answers to that complex question. Are there times when there are "fakes" standing guard? Probably. Is is sometimes better to serve and love anyhow? Most likely.
I have friends in WA and they almost always give a food item, saying they'd rather be wrong in being generous than in forsaking a need.
I wrote a blog recently entitled "Salvation Army." Check it out when you have time....
Post a Comment