My family recently completed a three-week driving vacation towards points west of Texas. From the Grand Canyon, Kings River white water rafting, the giant Sequoias, to Bryce Canyon we were filled with the majesty, wonder, and imagery of God’s creation. Yet my most enduring image of our entire adventure was not cast until our last day when departing Gallup, NM for home.
The gas station we planned to use first thing in the morning was not yet open, forcing us to an alternative where a young lady wandered by in the predawn light as I was attending the pump. Knowing she was about to ask for money I began my reply before her request was fully made. She continued past, parked her jury-rigged bicycle, and slumped against the wall of the gas station and slid to the concrete and was still. I thought about the words we utter before meals praying “Bless O Lord this food for our use, and us to thy service, keep us ever mindful of the needs of others, Amen. Keep us ever mindful of the needs of others!
I jammed a fist into my trouser pocket to discover the cash reserves characteristic of the last day of a long vacation, couple of ones, and low and behold, my last $20 bill. I folded it and walked towards her, she did not raise her head or look my way. When beside her I extended the bill which she gently took from my grasp. I placed my hand on the back of her head, covered with a knit cap and hoodie against the New Mexico early morning chill, and said in what was intended as a kindly voice “get the help you need sweetheart.” She said nothing but as she met my glance long streams of tears covered her very young face – crying for most of the interval since I rebuked her a few minutes earlier, I’d wager.
I could have, and surely should have, done more. She needed a hand up and at the time I thought only of my unsuspecting family in the truck and getting started for home as soon as possible. In the days since the very few moments described here, I have prayed for her safety and welfare - to lamely atone for my lack of action. Been around my share of panhandlers, this one was different and I failed to behave differently.
Please see Matthew 25 verse 25-40.
There are many among us who know desperation beyond our experience or understanding. Thus, my most enduring image of our three-week vista-filled adventure is of tears on the cheeks of a young woman in Gallup. Keep us ever mindful of the needs of others.
The gas station we planned to use first thing in the morning was not yet open, forcing us to an alternative where a young lady wandered by in the predawn light as I was attending the pump. Knowing she was about to ask for money I began my reply before her request was fully made. She continued past, parked her jury-rigged bicycle, and slumped against the wall of the gas station and slid to the concrete and was still. I thought about the words we utter before meals praying “Bless O Lord this food for our use, and us to thy service, keep us ever mindful of the needs of others, Amen. Keep us ever mindful of the needs of others!
I jammed a fist into my trouser pocket to discover the cash reserves characteristic of the last day of a long vacation, couple of ones, and low and behold, my last $20 bill. I folded it and walked towards her, she did not raise her head or look my way. When beside her I extended the bill which she gently took from my grasp. I placed my hand on the back of her head, covered with a knit cap and hoodie against the New Mexico early morning chill, and said in what was intended as a kindly voice “get the help you need sweetheart.” She said nothing but as she met my glance long streams of tears covered her very young face – crying for most of the interval since I rebuked her a few minutes earlier, I’d wager.
I could have, and surely should have, done more. She needed a hand up and at the time I thought only of my unsuspecting family in the truck and getting started for home as soon as possible. In the days since the very few moments described here, I have prayed for her safety and welfare - to lamely atone for my lack of action. Been around my share of panhandlers, this one was different and I failed to behave differently.
Please see Matthew 25 verse 25-40.
There are many among us who know desperation beyond our experience or understanding. Thus, my most enduring image of our three-week vista-filled adventure is of tears on the cheeks of a young woman in Gallup. Keep us ever mindful of the needs of others.
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