Taking in a noontime meal allows the frost of the morning to thaw away. It encourages me to leave my desk and go outside. First, to get a lunch and second, to find a place tucked away to sit and eat the mid day treat. Sometimes I am joined by coworkers and friends. We shoot the breeze and discuss whatever is on our minds that day. Often times it is sports or how things are progressing throughout the day with work. But the important part is the time away… In Psalm 104 we find traces of the Lord’s goodness and provisions. We wait for Him and He provides our food at the proper time and thus we are satisfied and find goodness, verses 27-28.
This particular day finds me walking back up the hill after devouring a nice lunch from a food truck. The conversation was light as the long walk back was afforded some resting points as lights turned red at the intersections. A couple of colleagues were lost in a merry conversation and laughter, I chime in every now and again to stir the pot. But up the hill in front of us is something we see all too often… a vagrant or homeless person.
This particular fellow is weathered beyond his years. He sits in solitude often. Many a mornings I see him sitting at the entrance of my parking garage hiding away from the battering winds and gusts of weather that pursue him relentlessly. He sits against a wall just out of reach of the swinging door. When commuters come out of the garage they have to be aware so they don’t trip or run into him. For he sits in silence, crossed legged, and a little hand held radio kept a hands width or two in front of his face.
He doesn’t make eye contact. He doesn’t ask for a thing. He is intent on the conversation that is broadcasted on the radio. Talk radio. His days of gazing at people have subsided. He hears the occasional good morning and every so often is handed a gift. The man remains quiet…
When meetings call me down the hill or some other event, often this man can be seen sitting under the shadow of a roadside tree. As there are several planted on both sides of the boulevard at equal distance. The trees, in general, have a 3’ x 3’ square of earth carved out for them and are a couple of years old. They are guarded by a cast iron grid fencing that today serves as a bench and respite for our vagrant.
Yes, the stop at the intersection has drawn my gaze to our fellow once more. His radio is poking out of his bag that has been set just on the inside of the cast iron fence. Next to it is another plastic bag wide open. It appears to be a bag of bread that he was gifted or commandeered some other way.
The light turns green and the walk sign flashes. The crew commences the walk and push to the side of the sidewalk that isn’t being occupied, today, by the man of the street. The stories aren’t interrupted nor do the gazes acknowledge any other person save our own. But not all ignore the man. He is studied an observed by more than one. He has a crowd all around him. They are engaged, excited and chirping between bite sized crumbles of bread hitting the concrete in front of them.
Our friend was enjoying the fury of activity concentrated at his feet. These birds of a feather were feasting together and looking eagerly at the hands that were feeding them. As one who understood the lapse in meals and also could understand the excitement of the unexpected delight, he looked with a satisfied grin upon these child-like birds. He found delight in the Lord’s goodness this day. He had provision in this moment beyond an immediate feast. He had more than enough to share with someone else. The bird watcher was teaching lessons beyond his time.
That day was almost 5 years ago. It still speaks to me today which is why I share it with you. I get drawn back to it and see different angles all of the time. “For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in (Matthew 25:35 ASV).” The mysteries of the Lord go beyond the wisdom of the day. They carry throughout the ages.
In times like these it is imperative that we seek to understand one another. To show love to those who don’t deserve it. To have compassion on the less fortunate. To understand those who are misunderstood. Because in the course of the day we may be entertaining more than just a person. At a given time, we could be showing love to heaven’s court. “Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2 ASV).”
Godspeed, The Journeyman
Ps. Today’s story encircles a forgotten time. One where a lesson of the day can still be stood up and teach something else. In your flurry of activities take a moment to see what the Lord is showing you. You may be surprised! God bless you and happy hunting!
Psalms 104: 27-28 ASV “These wait all for thee, that thou mayest give them their food in due season. Thou givest unto them, they gather; Thou openest thy hand, they are satisfied with good.”
Matthew 25: 35 ASV “for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;”
Hebrews 13: 2 ASV “Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
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