George

 October 23, 2021

Someone asked me today what I was doing in retirement. I mentioned a few things, one of which was these nightly musings. When she asked what I wrote about, I said, “anything from mundane experiences to reflections on Scripture.” Tonight, it’s the former rather than the latter. 

George was sitting on a bench in the hallway when I walked in. I greeted him and walked on by, making a mental note that he didn’t seem to fit in with the crowd that had gathered. It was this afternoon’s Walk for Life, an annual march to raise awareness for the pro-life movement, and our local pro-life women’s health center in particular. In addition to today’s walk, Options Care Center hosted a craft show, with dozens of vendors. George didn’t walk, and didn’t look to be a likely customer for any of the vendors there. 

You see, George was a rather unkempt man, grizzled beard, ragged clothes, “unwashed.” As the vendor show was winding down, George showed up in the kitchen of the church where a few individuals were cleaning up from the hotdog and chip lunch that had been provided for the walkers and workers. The roaster still held half a dozen dogs, so Jessie, the director of Options, offered him one. I snagged one from the roaster and placed it on the bun he had ready and waiting. He grabbed another bun. Four hotdogs later, he was ready to tackle the cookies laid out in a box. About a dozen of them made their way into a plastic bag beside the dogs. 

I must admit, my initial reaction was, “Hey, take it easy on the dogs,” until I looked him over again. Those dogs might have been the only real meal he’s had in awhile, and who am I to begrudge him a few cookies? 

We talked a bit; I learned where he lives—in a rather poor and ragged part of town. I had some work to do cleaning up, so I left him in the kitchen with some others; before I knew it, he was gone, and I hadn’t prayed with him. I hope I can run across him again. To me, he was an angel sent by God to test my faith and kindness to “the least of these.” If I passed the test, it was a squeaker. Fortunately, it wasn’t a final, and the grace he needs is also the grace I need. To be honest, spending a little time with him was immeasurably more pleasurable to me than if I had spent that same time with some of the more refined people I know. 

This morning’s Scripture comes to mind:

“God, I’m asking for two things before I die; don’t refuse me— 

Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence. 

Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. 

If I’m too full, I might get independent, saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’ 

If I’m poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God.”

—Proverbs 30:7-9 MSG