Several years ago I was on vacation with my husband, Joe. On this very sunny and warm day, we were walking down a busy street in San Antonio, Texas. There were so many people ... desperately trying to get where they were going and so were we. I walked by a homeless man who was calling out, "a dollar, please just a dollar ..." Yet, I walked by but then ... I stopped about a block down the way. In that world of hustling and bustling, for just a moment, the world stood still for me.
I pulled out my wallet and looked inside. I had a $1 bill and a $20 bill and a choice to make. So ... what do you think I did? I chose the $1 bill ... hey, that is what he asked for. I gave my handbag to Joe and said, "I'll be back in a minute." He just stood there patiently while I ran off on another tangent. He is used to it. I walked back to that particular homeless man and reached out my hand with the $1 bill, feeling rather pleased with myself at all my effort and good intentions. At the very moment of my most inner self-glorification, this homeless man looked deep into my soul as he said in one of the kindest voices I have ever heard, "God bless you, lady." He meant it. I knew it. And the fingers of shame crawled up the back of my neck as I tingled all over.
I couldn't get this particular homeless man out of my mind nor my heart. Obviously I still can't! As Joe slept peacefully that afternoon, I prayed with all of the mixed emotions churning inside me ... and I wrote in my journal.
As I meditated on the Gospel reading for Easter Day, which is John 20:1-18, suddenly I remembered my conversation with God ... and I proclaim with Mary, "I have seen the Lord!" I hope you enjoy this excerpt from my journal ... and the drawing that emerged in my time of meditation today.
I couldn't get this particular homeless man out of my mind nor my heart. Obviously I still can't! As Joe slept peacefully that afternoon, I prayed with all of the mixed emotions churning inside me ... and I wrote in my journal.
As I meditated on the Gospel reading for Easter Day, which is John 20:1-18, suddenly I remembered my conversation with God ... and I proclaim with Mary, "I have seen the Lord!" I hope you enjoy this excerpt from my journal ... and the drawing that emerged in my time of meditation today.
A Homeless Man
There was a homeless man
There’s always a homeless man!
A man without a name
you gave a dollar
you walked away
you walked away
Sweet conviction overwhelms me
I can’t hear your voice
I know not what to do
a man…sitting
you…standing
in front of McDonald’s
could you not have
you…standing
in front of McDonald’s
could you not have
walked him in
bought a meal
sat awhile
heard his story
listened to him
loved him
that man
bought a meal
sat awhile
heard his story
listened to him
loved him
that man
is special
to Me
that man
that man
could have been
special
to you
He was… He is…
not enough
not nearly
enough
Regrets…Dreams…
Confusion…Chaos
The need is so great
I have no answers
Yet I know you call…me
“I can’t” too often my response
prepare yourself
be ready
for when I call
there is
always an answer
always a path
always a path
to follow
if you will seek
you will find
if you will seek
you will find
the Name is Jesus © 2004 Cindy Foster Serio
© 2010 Cindy Foster Serio
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