A few days ago, I wrote about seeing a homeless man outside of my favorite Starbucks. He wasn't there yesterday, but today he was back.
As soon as he saw me, a smile of recognition crossed his face, one that I gave in return. We said hello at the same time.
Right away, he told me he didn't need anything. "The water you gave me was good, but I don't need the other things. Save your money and take care of your family."
Obviously, he needs some coaching at this homeless thing. He just doesn't get how it works.
"Can't I get you anything," I pleaded, wanting him to take me up on my offer. I think of my three grown kids in Colorado, wishing I would take his advice to "take care of your family." I bet they could think of at least ten tings I could buy for them.
But this is not this man's mindset. Not in the slightest.
"I don't feel right not getting you something," I urged. "How about some eggs or cheese?"
"I can't do dairy," he said. "It goes right through me."
Yes, I thought, you told me that two days ago, when we first chatted.
"Let me at least get you water," I said. He hesitated for a minute, again saying no. "What about coffee?" He looked down at the cup he already had, contemplating, but turned me down on that as well. I was seriously striking out at begging a homeless man to help him.
Having failed miserably, I finally relented, and walked in to accomplish the task at hand. Even though he didn't need coffee, I did.
Once inside, I asked the barista making my drink if he knew the man's story. He smiled a knowing smile, then began to tell me.
"His name is Pete," the barista said. "He is a recovering alcoholic. He is one of the nicest people you will ever meet."
He went to say some other things, but there were other people talking and he is wearing a mask, of course, that gets in the way of me being able to hear everything he says.
He said something about him having a few places that he likes to hang out, something about being offered some sort of job somewhere, but he felt he was not ready mentally. I said I offered to get him food today, but he turned me down. "Does he ever accept any help?" I asked.
The barista responded, "He is the least materialistic person I know. One time he did accept a pair of shoes. He wouldn't take a dollar from you. In fact, he would give you his last dollar." In a way, this made no sense. But I could see that kind of character in this man named Pete.
I confirmed with the barista that he is, indeed, homeless. He said yes.
I thanked him for my drink and for filling me in. I walked back outside and stopped, telling Pete that I really felt bad about not getting him anything. I kept a safe distance, due to COVID and the fact that he was not wearing a mask.
He basically told me it was okay, he didn't want anything, looking down at the three full black plastic bags sitting at his feet.
I said to him, "You know God loves you, right?"
He shook his head, yes. "Philippians 4:13," he said.
I smiled. This man knows his Bible. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," we said in unison.
He went on to talk about how everyone has a story (oh my, I thought, here is a man that is speaking my language), but that story is between them and God.
Wait, hold on, he HAD been speaking my language. "But that story has power when you tell it," I emphatically said.
He went on to talk about some people having addictions and other things, but only God knew about these things and that was okay. Again, I couldn't hear that well. Obviously, Pete had his story, but he wasn't ready to tell it to me. But he had one and he knew he had one.
I wanted to stay, just like I wanted to stay two days ago, but work was calling. I couldn't be late.
"I have to get to work," I told Pete. "I wish I could stay and talk."
He smiled and said that was okay.
"Let me know if there is anything I can do for you," I said as I walked away. He said that he would.
I told him I don't live in California so I couldn't help him with a job. He smiled and waved.
When I got to my car, as I struggled to find my keys, I heard a small chirping sound. I looked up to see a tiny hummingbird, resting on a branch of a nearby tree. It is rare to see this; usually they are constantly fluttering around, looking for nectar. Almost as soon as I saw him, he was gone, in a flash. So quick.
But not quick enough that I didn't notice. Hummingbirds are one of my "God sees me" creatures. In that moment, I knew He was with me and took delight in me, not because I did anything special. I was simply being present.
As I drove away, I remembered that Pete had been there many other times before, weeks ago even, when I visited that Starbucks. He was always in the same place, always non-assuming, never begging. I was ashamed of myself for not saying something, for not helping.
I know God's timing is perfect. I'm also well acquainted with the quote, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." This has never been truer than in this situation.
I smiled, thanking God that, at least this time, the student had been ready.