God must have prepared a lesson for me that day because He laid a heavy burden on my heart. I chose to ignore it. One of my very many mistakes, but God gave me a second chance. Mickey came stumbling up the sidewalk towards us. I was uncomfortable. I wanted to get up and relocate hastily before he drew too near, but we stayed sitting on that bench and Mickey looked us in the eyes and simply asked if we knew where he could get a coke. Mickey could not speak very clearly, so if I remember correctly, we asked him to repeat what he had said a couple times. After asking the man to wait on the bench for us, we left to grab him a coke, water, a sandwich, and some potato chips. Mickey looked so happy when we got back. He was most excited that the sandwich was on wheat bread. I cannot begin to explain the difference in Mickey's face from when he first ashamedly asked for a cook to when he was talking of how he loved wheat bread and was so glad that is what we got him.
Mickey showed me his cut and I washed it with some water and a napkin. We held Mickey's hands, prayed for him and went on our way to the small shop downtown. I didn't think I would see this man again.
On our walk back to the car, we passed the bench where Mickey had been eating his lunch and he was no longer there. I looked around and didn't see him. as we got closer to the Lorraine Motel, I saw him sitting on a different bench. We went up to Mickey and asked how his lunch was. He told us it was wonderful and thanked us again. Mickey's gash had reopened and was bleeding down his arm and onto his clothing. I couldn't ignore this. We prayed with Mickey again, thanking God for allowing us to meet and then I asked Mickey to wait on me one more time while I ran to get my first aid kit in my car about a 1/4 mile away.
I quickly gathered the things I needed out of my car and my friend and I walked back. We met mickey on the road and stopped under the shade of a trolley/bus stop on south main street. Thanks to my wonderful mother, having brothers, watching small prone-to-injury children, and being a nursing student for a semester, I had a little first aid knowledge at my fingertips and began patching him up to the best of my abilities. As I talked Mickey through what I was doing to patch him up, my friend and I got to know Mickey a little better. Mickey is from Pensacola, Florida and worked as an ER assistant and EMT for years. Mickey had a wife and family and loved his grandmother dearly. 16 years ago, Mickey was in a terrible car accident and was in a coma for 4 months time. Mickey told me about how he could hear his wife, family, friends, and doctors talk about him while he was in this coma.
Mickey never told me what happened to his wife or his family, or how he ended up in Memphis, but he did tell me that God had a plan. Mickey, with all that has plagued him, told me that he wouldn't be on this earth if God didn't have a plan for him. Seeing Mickey, a man with so much going against him, light up at the remembrance of a purpose God has for him, just filled my heart.
I finished cleaning, disinfecting, and patching Mickey up and we prayed. Mickey specifically asked for prayer over his back. He said it had been hurting since his accident 16 years ago and that he was hurting so badly. My friend, Mickey, and I all prayed and we went on our way.
It has been over a week since I saw Mickey and I have been unable to stop thinking, praying, and worrying about him. I find myself wondering if he has eaten or if his injury got infected or better. I pray that he finds a safe place to sleep at nights. I cannot forget the look in Mickey's eyes as he thanked us. I believe listening to him was more help than anything else we had done. Mickey said no one had spoken to him in quite a long time and even longer since someone had listened. I will never forget Mickey's face lighting up as he spoke of his Grandmother and his wife and brother and work as an ER assistant. He told me about how his Grandmother had the best apple pie recipe and how he missed it so much.
To me, Mickey is my reason. He is my reason to be aware. Mickey could have been anyone. He is someone's uncle, someone's coworker, someone's husband, someone's dad. He could have been my uncle, my coworker, my husband, or my dad, and I would want someone to take care of him if that were the case.
So, why didn't I help him the first time? because he was dirty? because he was hurt? because he was alone? because he was distressed? what more reasons do you need to help someone?
Why did I, specifically me, rush by Mickey the first time?
Because I was uncomfortable.
I was uncomfortable.
I rushed past him.
I did not look at him.
I did that.
Me specifically.
Mickey has been on my mind everyday since. I have truly evaluated the situation in many of its aspects and have prayed for him in every way I can think of.
Before I met mickey, I kept snacks, water, and Gatorade in my car and would uncomfortably pass them to strangers who sat by the roadside or who i met on the street. I would have small talk, but not enough to truly know the person.
I do not want this post to have a "look at how much of a good person I am" feel to it, because I feel cruddy after thinking of how many people I have walked by and not gotten a second chance to love on. I want this post to bring awareness to homelessness and to loving our neighbors, no matter where they are. These summer months are coming to a close, but they are not over yet. I ask you guys to join me and keep some Gatorade, water, protein snacks, and such in your car to give out when you see a neighbor in need. also, First Aid kits are a wonderful thing to have. I was so thankful for mine when I saw Mickey's injury and was able to help.
This is such a small thing, but if it can open the door to talking to someone about their life and how God is working in them, just think of what a grand adventure it could bring.
Pray for Mickey.
Pray for our neighbors.
Lots of Love,
Ruth
