James

I met James yesterday (Friday 10/1) while taking my bus to dialysis. He said he was from Lillington, NC and had been homeless for less than a month. Last night he slept on a park bench (and this morning a man gave him $5). James had just gotten back from Social Services where he got a Food Stamp card for $200. He said he had less than $10 in his pocket, but had all that he possessed carefully packed in his pack-bag. He took off the NC State sweatshirt he had been wearing that cool morning and put it in there.

James is a born-again Christian and is depending on God to lead him through each day. Being homeless is a new and humbling experience for him. He never thought or wanted to go on welfare. He is from a Presbyterian background, but was going to “Crossroads Church” near Lillington. He liked it because all kinds of people went there (including bikers and ex-drug addicts). He said people came dressed in whatever they had: Suits, shorts (even bathing suits). All were welcome. The mainline churches around them looked down on Crossroads, but he knew it was the place for him.

James was new to Raleigh and didn't know where he would sleep tonight, so, I suggested that he go downtown to Raleigh Rescue Mission. When I was almost homeless several years ago, I had worked in the kitchen there, and served lunch. I found it to be a wonderful place. I only got to talk to James a few minutes before he had to catch his next bus. I gave him a paper flower my granddaughter, Chloe, had made for me (so he could remember that I was praying for him). We shook hands and he took off.

It is exciting to see how God has special people and moments planned for us as we trust him. You can be sure I will never forget James.