Guest Author - Pam Garlick

A question occurred to me the other day while driving along the main street to my local Turkey Hill to get gas to mow my lawn. When to reach out to help someone? As I was driving I saw a man bending over a fire hydrant and it looked as though he was trying to get moisture from the hydrant to wet his face. Later, as I returned home I passed him again, and this time he just seemed to be stooped behind a telephone pole, staring.

I thought his behavior a bit unusual, but continued on. The man had long gray hair and a beard, and was dressed in fairly nice clothing. Actually, considering I was on my way to mow grass, he was dressed far better than I was at that time. Still, there was something about him. . .

Call it a feeling, but even though I suspected he may be homeless, I pushed that feeling aside letting my mind return to the work ahead. At least until I saw him a few days later standing forlornly along another section of the main street. The weather was growing hotter, and I remember thinking at least he was standing in the shade.

I thought of calling my pastor and asking if anyone knew about the man; but by the time I got home I forgot. Later that same day I saw warnings about the excessive heat, asking people to look after neighbors and the homeless. My mowing now finished, I sat in my cool, air conditioned home, and thoughts of that man returned to me.

And the King will tell them, “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25: 40 NLT

Oh yes, that Bible verse seemed to plague me. I thought about that simple man being one of God’s creation. In fact, he was as much one of God’s children as my children, grandchildren, my husband or myself. I felt a twinge of shame for not trying to help that man.

When my husband returned home I mentioned the man to him, and expressed my concerns. To be honest, my concerns were not only for the man, but also for myself. What if I stopped to ask if the man was okay, and he was deranged or something and attached me? If I put unopened water bottles by several fire hydrants and telephone poles, would someone else take them? Would the water be to hot to drink by the time he found them? Would a dog pee on them?

Okay, I never claimed my mind didn’t work overtime and come up with some pretty wild scenarios. Remember, in my line of work as a writer, those wild scenarios are called plots. However, these scenarios were also valid possibilities.

I thought about calling some area businesses and asking if they’d noticed the man wandering around. I wondered if they would be willing to give the man water if I dropped some off. But I assumed they were too busy to bother. Or, perhaps they were already giving him water.

I have written about homeless people in some of my stories; but in those stories there was always some kind of resolution or happy ending, so to speak. But this is not the world of fiction, this is the real world. I know happy endings are far less frequent.

Then I realized the local police who would probably know about the man. I called their non-emergency number this morning, and sure enough, the secretary immediately knew who I was talking about. She told me it was likely the man would not accept water if I tried to give it to him. She said as near as she knows he’s harmless, if a bit eccentric. She said the man was not in need.

I was immediately relieved. I had been ready to do my part, but my help wasn’t needed. Very quickly after that thought, another followed. But what about the others?

I spent many years working for area food pantries, even helped set up one at my former church. Then in recent years I drifted from that task to concentrate on my writing – sometimes about people in need, ironically. Now between helping my mother prepare to move, preparing my own home for sale so we can buy her home, and anticipation of our own move, I have been stretched to the limit. Even writing seems to take the sideline in my daily routine, instead of the front line where I prefer it.

Non of that releases me from my responsibilities to others. As the Bible verse above states, I must show my love of Christ to others.

It does not matter if they are Christians, Jews, Muslims or atheists, it is what I should do. So, as soon as I finish writing this, I intend to add a few cases of water to my shopping list, and give them to local charities to, in turn, give to anyone in need, to help them beat the heat.

I hope those of you who can afford it will do the same. And if you yourself are in need, please don’t hesitate to stop at a local food pantry for help.