this time, i chose to stare.
usually, i look away from those who have the obvious physical disabilities. i guess i think that they’ve been stared at way too many times, and i shouldn’t add to that number. so i look away.
but today, while sharing food in atlanta with my good friend Wil, i chose to stare.
we were trying to go to our next “regular” stop, and we were stopped at a light near a bridge/exit ramp. i saw some “panhandlers” on the other side of the road, and, if i had been driving, i would have just continued on toward our destination. and i’d have wondered if they were scammers.
but, wil saw it as a need, and next thing you know, we’re stopped on the street.
one guy was helping a blind guy ask for money. one lady was helping another lady in a wheelchair ask for money. we gave them lunches and cups of cold water.
when i was back at the truck, after giving out a couple more lunches, i looked over and realized that she had no legs…! both of them missing just below the knee! had i noticed before, as i handed her helper the water? i had noticed that she was counting through some pennies and some silver coins on her lap. maybe i had noticed her missing legs. but, now i REALLY noticed!
and i stared. (from a distance, of course)
from one shoulder i heard “don’t stare”.  from the other i heard “no. don’t look away. not this time. look at her”.
they struggled to cross the street. i wondered what her days were like. all of her other struggles.
as i got back in the truck, i said “she had no legs!” and i reached down and touched my own. i was thankful again.
for my own legs, homely as they may be.
for my recently repaired knee.
and i’m thankful that Wil chose to stop, when i might have just seen “scammers” through my jaded eyes.
and i’m thankful that this ragtag group of “food-sharers” continues to push me and take me and bring me to the streets. to the poor. to the needy.
actually, to the face of Christ.
i’m so, so blessed.
eh
HOW DID I FIND MYSELF IN A BETTER PLACE? I CAN’T LOOK DOWN ON THE FROWN ON THE OTHER GUY’S FACE. CAUSE WHEN I STOOP DOWN LOW, LOOK HIM SQUARE IN THE EYE, I GET A FUNNY FEELIN’, I JUST MIGHT BE DEALIN’ WITH THE FACE OF CHRIST – chris rice.