This morning I was doing my thing in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Both of the priests were over at the church so I ignored it, but several minutes later I started second guessing my decision. What if one of the deacons or seminarian had misplaced their key and were trying to get in? I decided to go peek out the window and see if anyone was there.
There was a man wearing a dark grey dress coat standing on the porch with his back was to me. He was wearing a stocking cap, but his body style was similar to the seminarian. However, when I opened the door he turned around I realized he was not one of the staff.
I guessed the man was in his early 50s, and his appearance indicated he had lived a hard life. He started telling me his story...he was homeless and had been diagnosed with cancer. He was looking for someone to help him.
I've heard enough fake hard luck stories to be jaded, but this man's felt genuine. However, even if I wanted to help him there was nothing I could do right then. I encouraged him to go across the parking lot to the church, where he could find one of the clergy to talk to. The man started to tear up, which made me feel awful, but he turned and started down the steps.
I went back to my cooking, but felt bad about the situation and wished I could have done more. Every Catholic church has organizations to help people, but since this wasn't my parish I didn't have any of the contact information.
When the pastor came in he asked what was for breakfast, then said he might be late because he needed to talk to a man first. I heard him walk out the back door.
Ten minutes later he returned, and I asked him if he might have been
talking to the front porch man. He had. I learned that the man was trying to
get to someone in the next county who had offered assistance. I have no idea
if any other support was given, and I don't need to know. I'm just glad the
man found some compassion.
Five years ago today: Moving Up, Moving Out
You sent him to talk to the right person.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about it that way. Thank you.
DeleteI agree with Debra. You sent him to the right person. He would have been out of luck, probably had the cops called on him, had he gone to Joel Osteen's church for help.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I believe you're right.
DeleteYou sent him to the right place and people.
ReplyDeleteThese days you have to be more careful for your safety too.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. But yes, you have to be aware of your own safety too.
ReplyDeleteNas, thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I don't know what it says about me, but the thought of a safety issue never crossed my mind.
DeleteI totally hear you on the safety issue...I think it comes from being a teacher for decades and running INTO dangerous situations instead of running FROM. I figure God has taken care of me this far, He will continue to do so. And, as I often say, I do know where I'm going...
DeleteThere are a lot of people in need everywhere. Around here, there lately have been so many drug OD deaths. One was written about in the local paper and it just broke my heart. Again over the weekend, apparently another death in Lebanon over drugs.
ReplyDeleteSo sad!
DeleteYou did well.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you.
Delete