Writing what I live and see
I hoped to enjoy the company of someone on the streets who could use the interaction, and I found myself drawn to this man who lingered in front of a store.
He trekked past the entrance and glanced over his shoulder, shuffling his feet. He moved ahead, picked up the pace, and crossed the parking lot, pulling his hood over his head.
I watched from my car but didn’t stop to talk to him since he zig-zagged on me. Plus, I wasn’t sure if he was homeless, and he might have had a car, so my hopping out would have made our encounter awkward. (Or unique.) His demeanor and long gazes and having a backpack did make it a possibility.
Either way, I lost him as I drove around, cutting through parking lots and searching a stretch of the road for those to show kindness or friendship. And, of course, I longed to share the gospel.
I saw Will and Mike, then Henry. We chatted, discussing serious things like hope, life, and where we’re headed with our walk, and they allowed me to share scriptures with them too.
Parting ways, I drove through the same parking lot from earlier, and there he was—the man in the hoodie with the slurpy gait, and he slid across the asphalt.
I turned around and parked my car, unsure if I was to encounter him physically; thus—I prayed for him instead— from head to toe. “Dear Lord, give my friend the desire to reach for you. Touch his heart with your mercy. May he hunger for you? May he sit in your presence? May he walk toward your love? Guide him. Keep him. Please, if he doesn’t know you. Save him.”
I sat in my car, parked, and the man slipped behind the fast-food restaurant. And suddenly, it’s like my door opened by itself; I jumped from the car, said hello, and handed him a gift card for supper and a scripture card.
I saw that he had green, and his bangs swept across his forehead with curls. “Hi, I’ve been sitting over there praying for you.”
He looked at me. “Why me?” “Well, I saw you earlier. Then I passed you in my car again. And so when you walked by this time—I knew I should lift your heart to God. I don’t know your story, but I prayed the Lord would be with you.”
“Lady, do you know what I’ve done?” “No, but you have no idea who I am or what I’ve done. But I know the grace of God can redeem our walk.”
“I’m a long way from home. And had to leave.” “I’m hoping you seek God—that you’ll find rest for your heart and peace—and maybe go home. If that’s possible.”
“Sure, easier said than done.” “It starts with the first step. I’ve watched you walk a hundred miles around this area in a short time. Take steps to trust God; that’s a great first step.”
“But I have no place to be.” “Maybe, the place to be—begins inside your heart. You can walk with Jesus,, and He’ll guide you, even now. Can I pray for you?”
“Yes, but don’t go touching me.” “I won’t. But if I close my eyes to pray, will you stay? Or will you run off?”
“I’ll stay. So, you’ll leave.” “Just so you know, when I leave, if you put your trust in God, He’ll never leave or forsake you.”
The following minutes swept by like a sweet breeze of hope; our moment together at sunset became a walk toward Christ. So friend, keep watch; I’m sure you’ll see someone who can use prayer today. They may have a car. And a home. Or they may be walking a million steps to nowhere! Show them in some small way that you care. But be ready, you may need to zip and zag to make that happen!