He wandered into the office a couple of weeks ago asking to see the minister. I happened to be in but on the phone. He waited patiently on the old pew just outside of the office area. A few minutes later, I wandered out and invited him in. He took a seat on one of burgundy wing chairs placed for visitors. I sat on the other one opposite him. After our names were exchanged, he began to tell me his story. I have heard hundreds over the years. People needing bus tickets, food, diapers, gas money etc. Each time someone comes asking for help I marvel at their courage to ask and my despair at my limited resources which can't even begin to make a difference. I am a soft touch and give what I can.
The office administrators screen who actually makes it into to see me. They know my secret. Not long after I had arrived at this church I gave $20 to a mother who said she needed medicine for her child. The next day found me at meetings out of the city all day. Later in the week when I showed up again in the office I was greeted with "You gave out money the other day, didn't you?" Evidently, word had gotten out that the new minister was giving out cash. A number of the regular street folks had stopped by. Once they encountered Linda, they left.
This man, I will call him James, was new to the city. He had a job but he had been out sick for a few days so his paycheck was short. He needed some money, whatever I could spare to buy some food until the next check came. I rummaged around in my desk drawer where I keep that kind of funding. I came up with a ten dollar bill, which I gave him. James thanked me profusely and promised to repay it. "Don't worry about it,'" I said. "In the twenty-five years that I have been doing this no one has ever paid it back. It's fine." "I will bring it back," James said. "I promise." I had my doubts. As I said, not once has anyone returned with the money that they given. Cynical perhaps, but experience is a stern teacher.
Today was my day off, but I had a wedding rehearsal at 5 pm. When I went in, there was a note on my desk from Linda. It read "James Redmond was in today. He left this for you. He said to tell you 'I came back.'" Attached was a ten dollar bill.
The office administrators screen who actually makes it into to see me. They know my secret. Not long after I had arrived at this church I gave $20 to a mother who said she needed medicine for her child. The next day found me at meetings out of the city all day. Later in the week when I showed up again in the office I was greeted with "You gave out money the other day, didn't you?" Evidently, word had gotten out that the new minister was giving out cash. A number of the regular street folks had stopped by. Once they encountered Linda, they left.
This man, I will call him James, was new to the city. He had a job but he had been out sick for a few days so his paycheck was short. He needed some money, whatever I could spare to buy some food until the next check came. I rummaged around in my desk drawer where I keep that kind of funding. I came up with a ten dollar bill, which I gave him. James thanked me profusely and promised to repay it. "Don't worry about it,'" I said. "In the twenty-five years that I have been doing this no one has ever paid it back. It's fine." "I will bring it back," James said. "I promise." I had my doubts. As I said, not once has anyone returned with the money that they given. Cynical perhaps, but experience is a stern teacher.
Today was my day off, but I had a wedding rehearsal at 5 pm. When I went in, there was a note on my desk from Linda. It read "James Redmond was in today. He left this for you. He said to tell you 'I came back.'" Attached was a ten dollar bill.
No comments:
Post a Comment