My new friend Paul

This is Paul.  He had been working in Nebraska until it got cold last winter and he started moving south. Somewhere along the way he lost his ID...twice!  He said multiple times he has no one to blame but himself and it's not like someone stole it from him.  He just lost it.  Turns out, he can't even get into a shelter without an ID, much less get a temporary job.

Paul was very appreciative of his hot dogs and soda pop.  I actually saw him walking along the edge of the gas station parking lot when I knew I needed to talk to him.  He wasn't begging, just looking for a place to spend the night.  I walked fast to catch up with him, watching another man dressed nice in his work clothes, turn the other way when Paul started in the man's direction.  He wasn't going to approach the man, it was just the fastest way around the gas station.

So I caught up with Paul and asked if I could buy him supper.  I always hesitate with how to ask.  I have this fear people are going to think I'm pitying them or talking down to them.  He enthusiastically said "sure!"  Paul wasn't asking for anything.

You know, one very strange this about this interaction as compared to most I've had in the past is that *I* felt like I was being judged by all the people around us. Maybe I thought they assumed I was trying to assuage some guilt.  I was dressed for business.  I drive a reasonably nice vehicle. And here I am talking to homeless, toothless, scraggly Paul.  Hmmm...I really don't know why I felt that way.

Nonetheless, Paul went right to work getting his hot dogs ready then I asked if he wanted a drink to go with it.  Again, he asked for nothing and took the minimum of my offer.  I paid the cashier and we walked back outside together.  Paul and I visited for a while and we both got a few strange looks from those walking by.  Paul and I obviously made an odd couple.  He didn't have a tooth in his head.  His beard was wild.  His clothes were ragged.  He was a little loud.  But he was very well-spoken and seemed to have a good head on his shoulders.  He was also monumentally grateful. Some homeless people aren't.  Often street beggars have given me the impression I owed them something.  I try not to let that taint my desire to help.  But Paul was just phenomenally grateful and told me so.  He was also taken aback, I think, that I stuck around to visit with him.

He had some guilt about mistakes he had made in life.  I told him I was in no less need of God's forgiveness myself for my mistakes.  I told him God had done so many great things for me and it was my privilege to just buy a couple hot dogs.  After we talked some more I handed him another $25.  He said he could eat on about $5 per day so maybe that will get him by another week.  Paul told me about the best places to unroll his sleeping bag for the night and some of the strategies he uses when choosing an overnight spot.

Paul was monumentally grateful.  He was so appreciative and although he
is working very hard to get his ID back, he never once seemed
discontent.  I told him that God has done so many great things for me
that it was my privilege just to buy him supper.  Paul was vocal about
guilt he bears in life and I assured him I am no less in need of God's
forgiveness than he is.

Here's a fella that considers a low-traffic parking lot as a great place
to sleep!   Even though most of that day felt like a total beating (we
all have those days at work, right?!), my homeless friend Paul lifted my
spirits in a tremendous way.