Look at this picture. Go ahead...look closely even though it ain't pretty...
Does this look like a 'Bag Lady' to you?
If so, just go on to your next blog...you aren't wanted here!!! Okay, that's a bit harsh...you are wanted...just not your opinion of my attire. Of course, you won't mistake me for a 'fashionista'...but a homeless, bag lady? Surely not.
So, here's the deal. I was walking happily along the fancy sidewalk in beautiful downtown Tallytown...listening to Casting Crowns sing about the Voice of Truth on my MP3...(I PROMISE I was not singing...out loud). I know I was smiling...I always do when I hear that song.
As I'm walking along past one of the nicer hotels, I notice a well dressed young lady (probably in her late 20's) coming up the sidewalk towards me in her high fashion spiked heels. I'm prepared for this meeting -- I pass folks on this sidewalk all the time. My normal procedure is to make eye contact, smile and say HI!
But NO! Oh, NO!!! Miss Fashion Plate LEAVES the sidewalk, makes a huge arc around me, then gets back on the sidewalk behind me. WHAT???? Does she think I stink? Or that I would accost her? Tell me...do I LOOK dangerous?
I was totally offended by her actions. I was still fuming when I got back to the office so I asked Sandra to take my picture --with my work clothes (I did change my shoes), New Balance sneakers, sunglasses, earbuds, and my Publix sack carrying my water bottle and keys. Again, I ask...Do I look dangerous to you?
Anyone who spends any time at all in downtown Tallytown will see the homeless folks in parks, the library, and walking on the sidewalks. Although I have never scored high in the "MERCY" department, since I've been walking (instead of driving) through downtown, I've developed a compassion for these people that I previously lacked. Yes, the Lord is working on me. He keeps reminding me how much MERCY He's expended on me through the years. So on my daily walks, I have yet to offer any less of a kind greeting to an obviously homeless person as I do to the UPS man I keep passing. (I did tell the UPS man today that "we have to quit meeting like this!" Now, HE probably thought I was a lunatic!) Even though I don't show this type of disdain to these people, this experience really made me think about how other people might treat them.
Starting tomorrow, instead of my usual attitude, I'm going to make it a point to try to see them as God sees them -- as His child that He loves. Yes, I know about security issues, blah blah blah...I'm not saying I'm going to invite them home (just yet)...but I am going to make sure "I" treat them as I would like to be treated -- and that AIN'T making a wide circle around them like their cooties are going to jump off on me when I pass....
Rant over.
Stay tuned.
P.S. I forgot to say this in my Thanksgiving post yesterday. This is for all of you folks who know I despise almost any food that is GREEN! At Thanksgiving (and Christmas) I eat SPINACH!!! Yes! You heard that right. All you health-nut friends of mine will be so proud to know that I eat spinach in a dip a friend makes each holiday. (It doesn't matter that its made up of more other stuff than spinach, but I'm claiming the spinach part! We usually eat so much of that before lunch, we're stuffed before we start! Just thought you should know...I'm eating all healthy now! (HA!)
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1 year ago
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You most definitely do not look like a bag lady. Nope. Not at all. You look lovely. (By the way, LOVE the casting crowns song, too!) I love that you are able to take this incident and turn it to something good, like seeing the actual homeless the way that God sees them. There is a big lesson in this post. :)
What a beautiful post. You most certainly don't look like a bag lady. This is such a valuable reminder to remember and take to heart that we are all God's creation, loved and valued by Him, and He wants us all to treat each other with love even when we don't see them as lovely with our own eyes. You may never know how a smile or a kind "Hi" or "Good Morning" may affect the other person for all eternity.
Have a wonderful blessed day.
Martha
Oh Ms. Mary, you are such a hoot! You probably looked like a serious walker so she didn't want to interrupt your pace! No, you don't look homeless...but God certainly works in mysterious ways. By the way, with all the bags we have given out at IBC WM Events, you have to use a Publix bag?!
Your favorite Nag
You certainly didn't look like a bag lady. You would have needed some kind of hat, a few smudges on your face and some sort of trench over the whole deal after you'd slept a few nights in the same clothes. And, I can't recall the last time I saw a homeless person with sunglasses!
Now that I've caught up with you, I guess I need to catch up on blogging.
Thank you all for your support! Mr. Fix-It said "If you were a bag lady, you would have had a shopping cart!" LOL!!!
I'm sorry this happened to you, but this has got to be the funniest thing I've read in awhile.
O.k. I put up a post yesterday! Where is my comment? :)
Hilarious Meg!! I also do not think you look like a bag lady. Though I was not there, I'm guessing you were not hunched over, moving slowly, nor talking to yourself...telltale signs. I think you probably looked like a serious exerciser and the fashionista didn't want to get in your way!! Still, too funny :)
You don't look like a bag lady. Now, I'm not trying to defend this lady who acted rudely, but maybe her intentions were misinterpreted. We sometimes can misread people so easily. Maybe she was trying to be polite and give you plenty of room. Then again, maybe she wasn't and is terribly rude. Either way, you look marrrrrrvelous!
Okay my friend, I'm not sure how I missed all these posts a few weeks ago, but I think it's because this was all during that Back to Bethlehem thing I did in which my whole week turns into one long fog.
So, on to the comment: Gimmie a break. You do NOT look like a bag lady, or a box lady, or anything dangerous at all! It really gets my goat when people make their assertions about others strictly by what they see (which in your case, is a NORMAL person! So no, I don't get that either).
But you know, God will use anything to speak to us. And evidently he allowed that lady to momentarily hurt you so that He could share with you how the less fortunate ones feel. Because they do feel just as much as we do. Isn't He so good?
Happy New Year to you my friend. I'm sorry it's been a while since we've *talked*. :-)
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