About a month before the race, I was walking home and met a man named Tim lying down in the doorway of the Christian Scientist building across from our apartment in downtown Portland. I started to walk by, it was late, but something made me stop. Something in my spirit told me I needed to talk to this man. I turned around and squatted down to the step he was on, and asked him his name, and how he was doing? He told me a little about his day, and asked me how mine was. I asked if he had eaten recently and if I could buy him some food. ” Sure,” he said. ” Well what would you like? There’s ham and turkey, bananas, apples, and what kind of drink is your favorite?..” I rattled on about the many options that were in the grocery store. He looked at me sort of funny, and teared up and said, “No one has asked me what I would like before. I don’t really know.” What!! It tore me up inside, this man was so used to handout, to taking whatever there was, that he was brought to tears, because I as asking him the type of sandwich he would like. My heart broke for him. He doesn’t know he is worthy of the little things, and he definitely doesn’t know he is worthy as a man, a child of God. Sitting on the streets or in a penthouse, that he deserves to spoken to, smiled at, and asked how his day was. I told him I cared what kind he would like, he would be the one eating it after all, and I ran across the street to get him his request.. plus some chocolate. Everyone likes chocolate. I came back and handed him his dinner, and realized now that he was sitting up he was lying on cardboard only, no pillow, no blanket. I broke down and started crying, and he looked at me funny again. I told him I was sorry he was sleeping out here, and that he didn’t have a pillow, or a blanket. He said, ” I’ve been doing this for a while now, it’s no matter. Have a good night. God bless you.” ” God Bless you Tim, see you around.” I walked across the street tears streaming down my face. Why do I have a big comfy bed upstairs, and he’ sleeping on the street? My heart hadn’t hurt like this before. Maybe all those break my heart for what yours breaks for prayers were finally hitting. I couldn’t go to bed unless he had a pillow too. I stopped in the doorway and prayed for Tim, and when I opened my eyes there were two couch pillows sitting right in front of me. Ask and you shall receive. I grabbed the pillows, and a thrown blanket, and ran back out the door to Tim who was enjoying his dinner, and looked surprised to see me again so soon. “Here ya go Tim, God Bless you. Sleep well.” The smile on his face was priceless. I walked back across the street feeling full. Exploding with Joy, and Love. Did I end poverty? Or even get Tim off the streets? No, I didn’t but I gave Tim what I had, LOVE. It was Jesus greatest commandment to us, Love one another. Love never returns void. We all have it, and need to use it. They will know we are Christians, followers of Christ, by how we Love. Lets show them how we can Love. I later wrote this poem, and was reminded of it when I was sitting on the streets with Raphael, Joanni, and Carlo here in San Salvador this week. Everywhere we go we have a choice, to look down, and bless or walk by and ignore- who knows who we could be entertaining, or how one hug could change someone’s life.
Under Our Feet
At your feet, I’m all around.
I never intended to make you frown, or put a damper on your spirits.
I just need a second, a moment of your day, even a smile would be okay.
Yea, my belly grumbles, and my feet are aching, but my spirit is light and I know that I’m not taking
Anything that could be used for someone else. If you gave me an orange I wouldn’t keep it for myself, but share it with the girl sleeping on my lap.
And if you gave me a smile, I’d share that as well, for it can be passed on all over town, and never run out unless broken by a frown.
I use to be like you, my head up in the air, never seeing what I was walking on, or looking under my feet.
So I’ll say it now, that I’m sorry for passing them by, or stepping over without a glance, all those people below without a chance.
People who have lost hope, purpose, passion, love.
People who if nothing else, could use a a hug.
People who just want to be seen, not in their rags, but as clean
as you, with a purpose too.
Maybe they are here to force you to smile, or to share a meal or your time to listen.
Maybe you’ve had a bad day as well, and you both can talk about your own personal hells.
And maybe you’d see after just one conversation, that there is some injustice in the situation.
Why are they out there at all?
Why were they forced to feel so small?
Are they in a situation they brought on themselves?
Do they choose to be on the streets, or do they just want out?
And it will be for you to decide what you will do.
Will you buy them some food, will you sit down with them for some coffee and listen to their blues?
WIll you invite them into your life, and try to pick them up, or will you simply drop something soon forgotten into their cup.
I beg that it would not be the last, for although it might help momentarily, that change will not last.
Give them lasting change, give them lasting hope.
Give me a smile and ask me my name, I promise you my life, and yours will never be the same.
