Just a real quick story. prior to things falling apart from Covid are used to take the train every day to and from work. Over the course of years of doing this are used to come in contact with a lot of homeless people. There were a couple in particular that I had developed a friendship with. Although it’s started for me give me a dollar or two he developed into more of just people to have conversations with, for them and me. I often wonder, now that I no longer take the train, how they are doing.
How they fared through the pandemic.
Which brings me to today. I was telling a coworker one of my “Penn station stories” when a woman, much older than I, walked up us saying that she was thirsty. So I grabbed a bottle of water out of my truck and a dollar out of my wallet and handed it to her. In a barely coherent voice she said thank you and walked away. Short time later as I was driving back to the yard, I came across a man standing in the intersection. He kept shaking his arms and hands like they were in pain, unfortunately it’s something identify with. Around his neck was a handwritten sign that said “my name is Frank. I could use some help or at least a friendly voice”. Even though the light was green I want to pull up next to him I stopped and said “hey Frank, how’s it going?”. After we spoke for a few moments about the weather and the neighborhood I reached over handed him a bottle of water and another dollar I had in my wallet. As I drove off he said “thank you very much “, “It’s not a problem” was my response. “not just the water and the money, taking a minute to talk to me, most people don’t have that kind of patience”. As the light turned green I said,”if you have it, give it”. We both waved to each other like old, new friends, “take it easy…God bless” was the last thing I said as I drove away . It wasn’t until I was about a block or so away so I thought about what I had said. Honestly it rolled off my tongue without me even thinking about it. And as I got further and further away it became more and more clear, that’s all God wants from us. If any of us has what someone else needs than give it. Maybe it’s as simple as a smile, but that could mean everything to someone who needs it.
Know that I am always praying for you and remember to live the Faith. God bless.
Faith like Water 