Gray Man

His hair is gray, his face is gray, his demeanor is gray.
His pants are gray. His jacket is gray.
He sits on my slow-down-corner a lot in his gray hoodie.
His sign says ‘hungry’; after a few weeks, the sign is gray also.
I drive by him every morning irritated that he sits there, with
That sign and that shopping cart.  I feel irritated instead of grateful.
I feel miffed instead of sorry for gray man.
 
Gray man sits on this corner for weeks.
It is getting a little bit colder.  I wonder if he is homeless
Or just trying to fool us. Does he have a truck parked around the
corner? He has a dog with him today, a black dog who looks as
drab as gray man’s dingy clothes and un-soft-looking gray hoodie.
Gray man looks up to see if I recognize him but I drive past, without making
eye contact, afraid of his situation, afraid of his begging ways.
Feeling annoyed and angry instead of recognizing my fear and feeling compassionate
And helpful. 
 
God introduces me to His Son when I get to heaven; but I do not recognize Him for I never made eye contact, remember?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Kiser Avatar
October 29, 2018 at 10:00 AM
Ooh, sharp ending! Where I live there are many hanging out by Wal-Mart. A van drops them off and then later picks them up. One doesn't want to ignore them but, it's difficult to discern; I'd rather err on the side of "entertaining angels unawares". Sometimes you can offer to call the police to get them help; if they let you; they may be needy; if not, they're probably going to quickly go away.
Krutsinger Avatar
October 29, 2018 at 10:34 AM
It is odd to me that we try to pretend they are invisible, when they are so "not".
Salehi Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 6:10 PM
God will never give you anything you can't handle, so look again.
Krutsinger Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 10:49 PM
True. And again and again and again. You may see something new with each look.
Awtry Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 11:29 AM
Caren, this is just great!
Awtry Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Caren...it isn't just this beautiful message, but the compelling way you told it. all the gray...like he should just fade into the background but doesn't.... and then that moment at the end of course ... so good fav
Krutsinger Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 12:40 PM
Thank you P.S. I always think when I pass a homeless person, "What if I am passing Jesus?" It is automatic.
Mcferran Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 8:00 AM
That last line should give every 'Christian' pause... We definitely need more compassion and empathy in the world!
Krutsinger Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 9:41 AM
And if we had that. Wow! Right?
Rushing Avatar
October 25, 2018 at 11:21 PM
You preached a whole sermon with that last line.
Krutsinger Avatar
October 26, 2018 at 12:06 AM
Wren, you found me out. I knew that you would.
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