Distracted - a strange face appears in my window. Leathery skin, sweet smile, and kind eyes peered at me beyond the glass. Catching my gaze he mouthed - I'm hungry. Caught off guard, my response, "I have no cash." His eyes never left mine, continually filled with kindness he said something that imprinted in my heart. "That's ok, I love you, God bless you."
As the engine moved me out of his world - mine instantly changed. Tears formed in the corners of my eyes - I realized - he is what I'm here for. In an instant I knew God wanted to take care of this man's basic needs through me. I couldn't have driven home even if I wanted to. He is my neighbor - my brother - my friend.
As I removed the glass that separated us and handed him his dinner a look of joy stretched across his face. "I bought you dinner!" - "Thank you, you're such a sweetie!". That was it...he was gone, but as I looked back, I saw a glimpse of him sharing what may have been his only food for the day - with his friend.
My drive home was completely different than I would have normally expected. He showed me a physical example of what I have been wrestling with for weeks. He loved me - instantly - not because I gave him anything, but because we encountered each other. He possessed nothing of material value and gave me everything he had - love and blessings.
I have no capacity in my imagination for what it must be like to be "homeless". What road takes a person on that journey and what giant pits of despair must be along the way. In what I would definitely consider a low point in his life - he, in the midst of his suffering, changed my life. He didn't feel sorry for himself or curse me for not feeling sorry for him. And in the moment he received a gift he just as quickly shared it.
I want to be like him. If I were in his situation I'm not sure I would have responded the way he did. His soiled fingers reached inside my soul and touched me. Today he was my teacher and I his student. Though I may never see him again his memory permantently resides in my mind. He will never be forgotten.
- Peace
Oh my dear woman full of grace...you are God's message to unseeing eyes, unhearing ears, and soundless mouths. That we could all read this entry and be touched by your words, as I have been tonight.
ReplyDeleteIf you find yourself in need of reading material please read, "Same Kind of Different As Me." It will move you.
All my love.