The Gospel According to John?
The other day I ran into John, one of the many street people in downtown Tulsa, at lunch. After a short conversation I ended up buying his lunch at a Chinese Buffet. I ran into him again today, and we talked again. I asked him about his story...how he ended up on the street. He told me his story...how he lost his family after being incarcerated on drug charges and how he now lives here in Tulsa to keep from being near his ex-wife whom he might hurt.

I asked him if he still had a drug problem. He smiled and hesitated, then told me, "Yeah...I guess it's what fills me up." I wondered, "What's the Gospel, the good news to John?" I asked, "If there was someone who was willing to help you, to help you get private professional treatment, would you do it?" He didn't know how to answer. I told him, "You don't have to give me an answer today. We'll see each other around." He said he'd have to think about it. I invited him to lunch on Monday at the Coney Island downtown. We'll see what happens. I don't have solutions for him...certainly not the money to help him, but maybe the contacts. He may not want any solutions. Maybe the good news for both of us is just getting to know each other over lunch. We'll see. In his words as we discussed meeting at lunch, "God willing...God willing."
posted by Jimmy at 11:05 AM | |