Today, Buddy and I stopped at the gas station to fill up the car. As I was sitting there in the car, waiting for Buddy to come out of the gas station, I noticed a group of young men. One of them was a big guy, looked for all the world like that guy in the movie, "The Blind Side". Buddy was taking longer than normal, so I decided to go into the store and see what was taking so long. I walked into the store, saw he was buying three bottles of Mountain Dew. On the way out, he handed one of the bottles to the big guy. The young man thanked him, very politely. Buddy wished him luck, and we drove off. I asked him what was up, and he proceeds to tell me that this young man is homeless, and he was looking for money to get some clothes, so he can look for a job and get back on his feet. Now, I know, it seems very suspicious. I know, a lot of you are probably sitting there, thinking, "Likely story! Probably wanted it for drugs or booze, or the like." Maybe you're right! However, when Buddy told me this story, it clicked. This guy has been wandering this neighborhood since we moved in. Always wearing the same clothes. We sat there, in silence, for a minute. I said to Buddy, "If it were up to me, I would help him out. I wish we had the room to let him stay, even for the night." Buddy then says to me, "I wouldn't allow it. Did that way too many times before, and had way too much stuff stolen because I did." I sat in silence, mulling this over in my mind. Finally, I said "It's too bad people can be so untrustworthy. Because I would love to be able to help every person who needs it." Sign of the times, people, and it isn't a good one! That kid might have been the most honest, trustworthy person I would ever meet. But the sad fact is, we can't trust him, or anyone for that matter. Like our parents used to say, a few bad apples ruined it for the whole bunch. As a result, the only thing I can do is pray for this young man, and ask God to help him. Be sure that I will be doing that before I go to bed tonight.
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I've been ob both sides of that fence and it isn't pretty. Feeling your innards cramp in hunger hopeful that some stranger can spare some change to buy food. Problem is people tend to look down on you and instinctively think you're lying. "Oh he just wants it to feed his habits." Sometimes that is the case. But like I did the one day I had no money for cloth for him but if he is honest he would take the food. And he did, very appreciatively. It saddens me to see other in that slump, I've been there. If not for the help of my friends and some trusting people I very well could still be there. I try to help when I can. Some spare change, a bag of chips, or just a cold drink. But I never look down on them, never think less of them and can never pass without a second look. I no longer find myself in that position. I have crawled out of the proverbial gutter stared down my demons and beat them. I'm married now and have a great life. I can't ask for any more but I will never forget the time I spent there. I pray for those who are still. It is a shame that people today can't be trusted anymore. But please you see that person on the street don't pass them up. If you aren't comfortable giving them your change take it go buy them the food or drink the desire they will be just as appreciative.
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