I See You, Ricky

I see him very often at the corner on my way to work.

He reminds me of my dad in a lot of ways. The way he walks. His stance. Sure, my dad isn't a Black man with an eye patch, but he gives me the same vibes.

I don't really know his story, but I see him often, and I pray for him every time I do. He always waves and carries the same sign.

I don't typically give people things when I see them holding signs that say, "Please help..." Most of the time, I think the same thing many people think. They're just going to use the money to buy drugs or alcohol, or they're begging because they're too lazy to get a job. I even once saw a man begging on a corner walk over to his very nice car after collecting a few bucks.

So naturally, I'm skeptical of everyone.

But this man is different.

Today, I had some cash, and I could afford to give him some. I've seen him for almost a whole year, and I hardly ever have real cash on hand. Today, I saw him start walking up the incline of the exit ramp, and my heart really jumped and said, Give him something.

I didn't think he would make it to my car before the light turned green, but he did.

I rolled down my window, held out a $20 bill, and asked, "What's your name?"

He said, "Ricky."

We briefly squeezed hands.

I said, "Hi Ricky, I'm Heather, and I just wanted to let you know I see you..."

The light turned before I could finish my thought, which was really just, I see you out here all the time.

He smiled and said, "God bless you."

And I replied, "God bless you too, Ricky."

As I pulled away, I prayed.

"God, please do bless Ricky."

I did nothing special, and yet my heart still aches for him. I want to put him in my car and take him to breakfast. I want to bring him a bagged lunch every day.

As I made the last few minutes of my drive to work and pulled into the parking lot, I prayed again.

"God, thank You for Ricky and for reminding me how much work we still have to do to help those in need."

I might have also said, "Even if Ricky uses my gift for drugs or alcohol, please still bless him."

Maybe it wasn't that eloquent, but it was what was in my heart.

How do we show up for those in need?

I fail most of the time.

I think about Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan and how often I am the passerby who keeps walking, avoiding those who need help.

We live in a world filled with social injustices and economic inequalities, and I'm still learning what it means to roll down the window and give something to a stranger who may or may not deserve what I have to give.

But then I think about it through the correct lens.

Jesus rolled the window down for me.

So thank you, Ricky, for reminding me who I am called to be.