When I went to lunch yesterday, I saw a homeless man walking aimlessly down the street. He was wearing tattered clothing and worn out shoes on his feet.
I couldn’t help but notice that he walked with his head down and at that moment, I could almost feel the sadness and despair. It was as if he was alone in the world. I couldn’t help but stare. I wondered how he got this way, how he came to be where he is today. What awful thing could have caused this man to loose everything along the way?
I wondered if he came from a broken marriage. Did he loose his job? Did he on drugs?
Did a family member suffer some sort of traumatic illness that caused financial devastation? How long had this man been without a kind word, a loving touch or a simple hug?
Maybe he was an alcoholic or perhaps an ex-con or, perhaps he suffered from a mental illness. I wondered if this man would ever find peace and a place to just be.
I didn’t stop to say hello, I had things to do but as I passed, he looked up and caught my stare and it was as if he could see right through me. There was emptiness there. I gave a nod as if to say hello and then I said a prayer for this stranger, this homeless man I didn’t know.
My prayer was that God would bless him and bring him out of the valley that he had found himself in. That he would feel peace, love and joy once again. That he would finally find a place to call his own instead of under the bridge.
I have no idea where this person is today but I am confident that God heard my prayer. I am confident that God looks after his children and, we are all his children.
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