#21, Pete @ I17 and Peoria, Phoenix.
As I drove down the exit ramp heading south to turn east, I noticed Mr. Pete from the corner of my eye, sitting on the curb on the opposite corner. With him he had a backpack and a small sign that I never got to read.
After making a couple of U-turns and parking a quarter of a mile away, I walked down to the corner he was tucked away at.
He accepted my lunch, then put it on the ground and pushed it away from him.
Perhaps he will eat it later.
Kinda felt it wasn’t food he was looking for, but that’s OK. There will be those people.
Interestingly enough, after waking back to my car and driving across the street to a QT to use the bathroom and write my note about Mr. Pete, I look up to find someone else who I noticed working the median at a different corner.
He was holding his sign, along with a couple of bags of groceries that he had just recently purchased from inside the store. In his hands were a couple of boxes of cereal, a Monster, a fountain drink and a coffee cup.
I observed him conversing with another gentleman who was struggling with something on his bike.
Shortly thereafter, an employee came out and had something to say to him. It seemed that the employee was not happy, while the gentleman with his groceries and sign, looked confused.
I was confused as well.
I watched him being told to leave the property from the comfort of my car. My car that was parked in front of one of their entrances and I, who only used their bathroom and did not purchase anything was not approached at all or asked to leave.
Interesting.
#22, Darrin @ 7th street and Dunlap, Phoenix.
Mr. Darrin’s sign read, “Homeless and Hungry”.
I find it interesting that people have confronted me about using the term “Homeless” and accuse me of giving them a derogatory label, when in fact, it appears, it is what they call themselves.
For the record, Deaf people who are deaf, consider the term “Hearing Impaired”, to be derogatory, even though those who can hear feel it is more politically correct. Just saying.
Maybe there’s a difference, maybe there’s not.
Having already giving my extra lunch away, I pulled over to give him a coat that was donated to me; he was after all, wearing a sleeveless shirt.
After approaching him and offering the coat, I realized he already had one that he was not wearing.
Awkward moment when I feel he accepts my offer to not hurt my feelings.
Ugh….
I don’t even know what to say about that, except there was a time when I was single and struggling to clothe my four children.
I would never turn down anything that was given to me. Even if I had plenty, I never knew if I was going to run out.
I figured it was a gift that I didn’t know I was going to need. I felt it was God’s provision.
If he doesn’t need it, I hope he gives it to someone who does.
Lord, please look after Mr. Pete and Mr. Darrin. I pray that what they seek is what they need. In your Son’s name. Amen.
Growing Faith 