One day last week after running errands, I stopped at Chic-Fil-A for a sandwich. After I had my food, I noticed a young man walking across the parking lot carrying what appeared to be everything he owned. He had a large,fat garbage bag, a computer case & a guitar. I pulled over & asked if he was hungry. He was & I went back through the line & got his lunch. When he walked over,as I always do, I asked him what he was doing out there. He told me he'd been homeless for 14 years. He really didn't go into much detail but said he's been all over the country hitchhiking.
He appeared to be in his 30s, with dark hair & a beard. He probably needed a shower but he wasn't filthy. He was well spoken & grateful for lunch. And he then asked for a ride to a Starbucks, for wi-fi if I was guessing. He said he understood if I said no & I did say no. I'll buy anyone a meal but I'm basically not all that trusting.
His name is George. I pray he's safe.
But I've been thinking a lot about the situation. I'm such a homebody & cannot imagine living on the street. And I'm fully blessed so that probably won't happen. I cannot imagine not having my own space. I mean, 14 years is a choice.
I even talked to my neighbor who runs a non-profit ministry & she said she finally had to turn adults away because she figured out they don't want a hand up, just a hand out. And it was making her jaded. And I hate that because she loves what she does.
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