"Look, Dad! The birds have come!"... I went to see Lars last night around seven...
COVID-19 Diary: Caring for the Birds
COVID-19: Tuppence A Bag
I don't always wake up with a song in my head, but today I did and it was, "Feed the birds, tuppence a bag." And so I got out of bed, got dressed, and went to find Lars and leave some granola bars for him.
COVID-19, Spring Break, Days 5, 6 & 7
Sometime after lunch I realized that God was talking on Thursday... They were only letting so many people in the store at a time... The hymn melodies rang back in echo off the mountains...
Under the 24th Eve
For those on the street this December
French Fry Failure (*last time?)
French Fry Failure No, Lars and I aren’t smoking a bag of weed. It’s Five Guys fries. A couple weeks after Lars’ birthday, I decide that if I don’t get called into work I’m gonna go to Five Guys and order two large fries for lunch. The girl shovelling fries into the paper bag asks …
What Change Time Yields
I first sat on the curb with Lars a few years ago. He wouldn't look at me, or talk to me, or accept anything from me. The most I got out of him was, "No thanks." I quickly learned to not hand him money or food, but to simply leave it on the sidewalk for …
Faces of Jesus: Lars & Christmas
Faces of Jesus: Lars & Christmas Today Lars has survived our first serious frost. I asked him today how he spent the night. "Right here." Under the awning of the building where one can go inside and choose carpet and flooring. I handed him my typical Nature Valley granola bars and a five dollar bill, …
Winter’s First Blast: Homeless Survive?
Jesus, I want to look at this guy and see You, but that's hard anymore. You, at least occasionally, I can understand.
We Would Help–and WE’RE “Church People”
Aaron and I are sitting on the sidewalk, talking to Lars, and apparently this old woman feels like we have sympathetic ears because she begins to unloaded her story. "The market is squeezing the seniors out onto the streets!"
The Devil, My Daughter, and the Town That Almost Cares
My daughter is teary-eyed as she gets in the car. The only religion off the table for the kids to choose from was Satanism. Witchcraft, okayed. Voodoo, okayed. "I had to switch groups and I broke down crying in front of the whole class."
Jesus Wears Johnny Cash Black: “I was naked and…”
Faces of Jesus: Lars I’ve learned. The next time I see Lars I don’t hand him anything. I say, “Hi,” and sit on the sidewalk next to him for a long and intentionally silent conversation, keeping five bucks hidden under my hand on the curb. It’s almost nice. I mean, twenty-five minutes of being still, …
Continue reading "Jesus Wears Johnny Cash Black: “I was naked and…”"
Jesus, Hiding In Plain Sight
Faces of Jesus: Lars God’s not subtle. I’ve just dropped my son off at youth group, and with two hours to kill I’m about to try grocery shopping at night. I’m hoping the store’s near to empty. No crowds. No lines. Quick and easy. But as I’m driving down the four lane street, the sun …
