it seems as though winter is making up for lost time, lady frost seated in our windows, and i remember him. the man with the plastic beads around his neck, and i wonder if he is warm tonight.
his sign was crammed with black ink. it asked for spare change, but then it went on for paragraphs saying “God blessing you,” over and over, slanting sideways in squished-up letters and he sat below his sign, wearing a beaded necklace, no older than me.
i walked past and i smiled. i see you, i see you, i thought, i just don’t believe in giving money and i would raise you from the sidewalk if i could, like peter and john, for i serve the same God but for some reason i can’t do the same miracles.
and i entered the farmer’s market, just yards from where he sat, produce piled high and tubs of honey and the world full of food, and the streets full of hungry people.
i walked to the back of the market to the cafeteria and all they had were perogies or soup and i wondered, which? and i prayed, which, Lord? and i bought perogies. i hoped he liked perogies.
a fork, then, and salt and pepper, and i walked back to the young man with the beads. “i bought you perogies–is that okay? do you like perogies?”
“cool, man, i love perogies!” and he looked stunned and happy, and i thought about saying something like “God loves you” but instead i said, “i love your necklace,” because that is something i think Jesus would have said.
and that’s when he saw me, seeing him.
“thanks,” he whispered.
and i wondered who his mother was. and what she would think if she knew her son was sitting on the streets.
i walked away then because i couldn’t solve his problems like peter or john. all i could do was buy him perogies. but maybe this is more.
maybe this seeing each other is more miracle than anything else.
(painting by emily wierenga. for more paintings and prints, please visit here)
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
the gift of sight ~
it is ever so holy.
::
sometimes it casts out
but it is with the outcasts
that Jesus dwells.
“sometimes it casts out, but it is with the outcasts that Jesus dwells.” brilliant. xo
You know I will pray for this street man; the street man with the empty cap; Jessica, Joey, and the little brother; your husband’s student’s family; your mom and MIL; and all the people who touch your tender heart.
But mostly I will pray for you: your eyes that see, and all the ways your faith takes flight and wings its way into breaks and bruises.
i have never known anyone with a bigger heart, dear brandee. you mean the world to me. xo
Thank you for seeing this man, and for helping us to see him, too.
thank YOU for seeing him, georgi… bless you. e.
Thank you, Emily….
)
Tonight, as our temperatures dropped below -40, these people and stories are heavy upon me. Thank you for sharing the perogies and words.
(D. BTW, i’m Mel’s friend. One time, years ago, the three of us shared a day together in Edmonton. It’s been awhile. Years and babies and life. Good to see you
dear dea, so good to reconnect! of course i remember you friend… those years, that day in the city, it all seems so long ago yet at the same time, yesterday… love to you and your beautiful family. e.
Sometimes I can’t put words to how a piece of writing makes me feel… righteous contentment maybe. Maybe just peace in knowing we all struggle with the same thing. But neither of those aptly describe how I feel today. “I see you” – El Roi, the God who sees. Love this.
Amen to that…..
oh…. thank you so much friends. yes–he sees us. hallelujah.
I do believe the seeing is the heart of it. Yes, we need to add perogies – and much, much more. But if we do all of that without truly seeing? Wonder if it begins to sound like clanging cymbals… Thanks for this lovely, thoughtful piece, Emily. May we all truly see the other, the one who crosses our path in the day-to-day of life.
As always Em you speak with such poignancy and gut renching honesty…of which we could all use a bit more of. It hurts my heart when I see people whi are begging for help and while i look at yhem and want ro help i don’t know what to offer and what their teal needs might b. Perhaps the truth of the matter is i don’t want to acknowledge the frailty and brokenness of humaity reflected back at me, when i think i’ve got it so good but the reality is that could b any of us.
Your mention of a mom made my heart weep…
you have such a big heart friend… love to you. xo
It’s you, Emily. I thought so, I could hear your voice. In my email subscription, it doesn’t list who the author is, but I recognized your voice.
Yes! Seeing people on the street, in wheelchairs… exchanging eye contact is powerful and good. I too like the food method, and have done that.
In one of my recent posts, I shared the story of Crying With an Atheist at the Bus Stop. I was thankful for that chance to reach out, hug her, listen and cry together.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
oh jennifer i love you friend; you are such an encouragement to me. i’m going to visit your blog and look for that post you told em about. sounds so good. bless you. xo
You are so right, Emily! The miracle is in opening our eyes and truly seeing. It is much easier to shield them from everything ugly and uncomfortable–going about our days in seeming bliss. Oh, the simple, little things we can do! They make a difference.
yes, the simple, little things we can do… these are the miracles. bless you julie.
Yes…being seen…isn’t that all each one really wants…the Lord has awaken in me…be fully present…with those who I interact with…with and without words…my family…to a clerk…to that stranger holding the sign…because He is spirit…and His spirit of Love doesn’t always need words…
Thanks for this dear Emily…as always you inspire:)
to be fully present: i need to learn this. especially with my own boys. you always inspire me too, friend. thank you.
This is beautiful and so powerful. Thank you for sharing this.
thank you dear eileen… xo
I love this Em. Thank you for being exactly who you are and having the heart of Jesus when you inhale and exhale.
I have a long story, but I’ll give the short version because this post made my heart leap. I’ve considered sharing the whole story, even have a saved post on my blog….sharing it all seems self-righteous. So I don’t know. Maybe.
God’s been buggin’ me since 2009 with this idea. I finally caved in 2011. It was a total hoot! I had so much fun shopping, hearing His ideas for the hot hands too. And cooking was from my heart as well.
It was the weekend before Christmas and my husband, who was born with an internal GPS, for which I have none, was the driver. Figured we would just stay within a 5 mile radius of our house, we see them all the time. Standing at the corners, asking for money, food, work, anything will help. We found none. We drove into the inner city of Denver and found a few. I recall the man at the intersection of Colfax and Speer, near the Burger King I’ve eaten at before. I hand him a brown bag of grace, folded and stapled. He has no idea what’s in it. Along with a bottle of water. And his eyes light up like I was the ghost of Ed McMahon giving him this years sweepstakes check.
“Merry Christmas and God bless you!” My heart sank. How could he be saying this to me? Aren’t I the one with all the “riches”, shouldn’ I be saying that to him? Which if course I did, in response. But his gratitude. And that of the men that would follow as this one day project turned into two. Each being handed a brown bag of grace. For nothing but to be obedient to God’s request on my heart and to love them the way I know how right now. Not love them because of what they could do for me, but because they’re broken, like I’ve been broken. Only their brokeness is so much more obvious than mine ever was. And because they are fellow creations of this Mighty God I serve.
Today, I have sitting on the floor in my guest room, grocery bags to do this again in February. Ham and cheese sandwiches, snack size bag of chips, a box of valentine’s candy and some chapstick. Homeless people could use chaptsick right? I think so too.
I’m already thinking maybe hot dogs for the summer.
oh how cool! i wish i could do this with you! love your heart, friend… xo
i don’t know the answers, but i am crying for that day when he saw the love of God through you. i see it, too…
i am so, so touched by your heart, dear leslie. xo
Seeing people. That’s one of the most beautiful things.
i think so too
i love how you see the world rose.
To be seen
to be known
to be recognized
priceless
amen. xo
Simple and beautiful. That’s what it is when we see with Jesus’ eyes. I cannot get over how much I love this piece right here: and i thought about saying something like “God loves you” but instead i said, “i love your necklace,” because that is something i think Jesus would have said. How incredibly insightful.
oh theresa, i hope so… i hope Jesus speaks through me. i want this so badly. thank you for being him to me. xo
Beautiful piece.
thank you dear christine.
Oh, Emily. Amen, amen, amen.
i love you to the moon.
“maybe this seeing each other is more miracle than anything else”
It is a a miracle … seeing, anything.
My heart jumped when you asked about his necklace, it cried out YES, this is love.
oh yay! thank you dear janae… xo
This Christmas we baked and decorated cookies for the homeless that stand on the street corners. And we handed out the cookies from the car and we made eye contact, but I never knew what words to say. I said “merry Christmas” but really? I love how you complimented him on something of him — an idea for next time.
wow. i LOVE that you did this with your kids. you inspire me jen. xo
Oh Em, I think it is, I know it is.
i love the way you see people, dear laura…
so much good honest practical love you showed …from the food to his deepest need – to be seen – for that is to be loved…Thanks, Emily : )
thank you for the love you show me, sweet dolly.
Thank you. For giving him perogies. For being Jesus for a day.
i love your heart, dear shanda. and i hope i can learn to be Jesus every day….
Here’s my story of seeing a homeless man. I love yours!
Wished I could have been like Peter and John too, but, oh well.
http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com/2012/01/small-things-count-too.html
maybe this seeing each other is more miracle than anything else. Isn’t that the whole truth!? When we can really see each other, God can do miracles out of our heart’s desire. Oh, Lord, make my heart yearn to see other people as Jesus would have. Make my mind veer from cliche. Help me to notice the hurting and help the hurting in your way. Amen.
the hardest i’ve ever cried? when i imagined my boys going hungry. the hardest i’ve ever cried.
Open my eyes Lord, that I might see.
Jesus got perogies that day… you fed Him!
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ~ Jesus as told by Matthew
Beautiful!
this. is. beautiful. love it! your heart for him is so real. i love that i know you and get to read you.
“and i thought about saying something like “God loves you” but instead i said, “i love your necklace,” because that is something i think Jesus would have said.”
powerful statement…that blew me away. i had to just stop and take that in. they do need to hear that God loves them, but so many times it is in the way that you describe.
you inspire me. to be real. like Him. i want to be like Jesus.
blessings, Emily,
Nacole
Tears. I love how you see.
Wow. I can’t think of anything else to say, except… wow. Thank you for writing this! I loved reading it!
I struggle with giving money too. My son gives it to all who ask. He says his responsibility is to share; theirs is to decide how to spend. I still see problems with this, but I love his heart. Not ruled by reason but generosity first. Your story reminds me of the “cup of cold water” Jesus spoke of. Whatever we do, give money, perogies, or a miracle, it’s all worthy if done in His name.
How many times have I walked by and tried not to see?
Lord, forgive me.
“and that’s when he saw me, seeing him.” This was a jolt of truth that brought tears of knowing from inside myself. Thank you.
doing ‘love’ is always more… and in Jesus it is always enough!
He will remember the gift of perogies always… how you connected and how you ‘saw’ each other and how… he was not alone
Powerful post. Reminds me of the book “Same kind of different as me”