Don the Happy Homeless Man

Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity  to meet an inspiring homeless man. It was Simple Saturday where I attend weekend services. It's where we go out into the streets, hand peeps cold bottles of water, hand out Bibles, and pray.

We happened upon a man named Don. He's 60 and has been without a roof over his head for 20 years.  He didn't even look as if he'd been weathered beaten. His skin was smooth and his face beamed. We asked him if he needed anything.

He said, "I don't need money to live. I have everything I need. God takes care of me. Everything I have I bought myself." He nodded at his shiny bike and then lifted his feet to show us his shoes. "I'm a carpenter." He does odd jobs here and there to buy what he needs when he needs something.

We were amazed. He wasn't bitter or down and out over losing everything. He went on to say, "I used to be a drug addict. But one day I got up and was sick and tired of getting sick everday. I made a decision to stop and did."

He never went through rehab. While he got his life back, he lost everything he owned because of it.

Don further shared, "Everything looks so different when you don't use. I can see everything clearly. The trees. The sky. The water. People. It all looks different when you're on dope. Now it's all beautiful."

One of the ladies pushed services on him. He said, "Offer them to someone who really needs them."

"How about a tent? We can get you a really nice tent."

"No thank you. Law enforcement  will just come and tear it down."

The lady said, "What about Salvation Army?"

"Nope been there. Done that."

"Can we pray for you?"  another lady asked.

"No. I'm good. Really."

"Do you know Jesus?" another asked.

His face got even brighter. "Yep. He was a carpenter like me and had no pillow, you know. I'm the same. I have what I need." He even told us his father was a carpenter as well and that his dad's initials were JC.

It was awesome to see someone who what most Americans consider a loser, a real winner at heart. He was content where he was in life, with the clothes and shoes on his back and feet, and the bike he piloted daily.

Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have, for he saith, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrew 13:5 (KJV)

It's cool that someone we would think would be troubled without daily necessities is so happy and content.

Ever come across someone like this?

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

ISWG: Discouraged

Yes. I know. I'm double late for posting this.  This past week has been real special. And that can mean anything you want.

On ward...

Sunday: After work, I drove to South Florida. Had a nice dinner with my brother and sister. Then, headed to Tinkebell ' place to stay the night.

When I got there, her and the boyfriend were fighting. He had splashed an entire can of Pepsi onto her kitchen floor.

The Glowstick took me into his bedroom to tell me that Jerk made his mommy sad.

Monday: Tinkerbell gets up and goes to the methodone clinic before we can do anything. While she's there, I make breakfast for Glowstick and I. We watch a movie. We do some exercises. We wait patiently for her return.

A lot of time goes by before she comes back.

When she arrives, she has two bottles of pills in a pharmaceutical bag. Tells me she has anxiety and that her doctor prescribed them for her. CELEXA.

The rest of the day was spent watching her nod in and out and drooling.

So here I go again.

That night I could barely sleep. I'm so distraught for my grandson. What if she's on this crap while he and she are in the car? What if she doesn't wake up one morning? What if we all lose the Glowstick because she's popping pills again?

At lunch my dad was like, "I've got anxiety, too. But I talk myself through it." He was more than embarrassed to see his granddaughter practically fall out of her chair while people around us sneered and gossiped.

Tuesday: I prepared an article for Freedom Nation News. It's ready to go. But my videos aren't saving. They disappear as soon as I log out.

Worked with a YouTube who teaches Wordpress. She came to the conclusion that my problem isn't me but my computer.

It will be gone all week. It needs surgery...AGAIN!

Wednesday: Totally forgot about ISWG.

Thursday: I get up and figure I could get a bunch of handwriting done on my series. NOT!  At about 9:30 AM, I get a call from the SALON. One of the co-workers fell backwards on the pavement and is being raced by ambulatory to the ER. Would I meet them there?

Of course I did. The woman is 77 and has no family here.

Friday: I spent time with my injured co-worker.

Saturday: I was off thinking I'd get some writing in. NOT! The electric went out for one. So I headed to the grocery store. Got back and began cooking for the week. By the time I finished, I just couldn't go anymore. My energy flew the coup.

So I got a little depressed. Asked myself why I even bother to write. Why I blog? Why I do anything I do?

And then I remind myself, it was just a crap week. At least, I didn't lose my family, job, and health in one day like Job.

This post was to you on behalf of Alex J. Cavanaugh ' s Insecure Writer's Group.

Hugs and chocolate, all!
Shelly