Wednesday, January 2, 2008

"HELP! SPIRITUAL PROBLEM!"

Driving through Houston, especially the part I minister and live in, it isn't unusual to see people standing on street corners holding cardboard. I've seen the usual:
"Help. Hungry."
"Will work for food"
"Vet. Need Food."
Even, "Need Beer"

Last Saturday as I was driving to see a family from church, I saw a sign that I have never seen before--"HELP! SPIRITUAL PROBLEM!" Instantly, I was intrigued. I had to drive another mile before I could make a u-turn. I was planning to buy an energy drink (I'm trying to stop) before reaching my planned destination, so I decided to run into the convenient store before going back to talk to the man. (Confession time--I shouldn't have hesitated). I ran into the store, bought my Monster drink, and went back to dialogue with--who I was hoping would be--my new friend. When I returned, he was gone. In less than 3 minutes, the guy had vanished. I drove around looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found.
I wish I had a great story to share, but I am only left to wonder and to pray. Maybe this guy was only attempting to use another tactic to get a few bucks to buy some liquor. Maybe not. Maybe he was suffering from extreme depression, loneliness, addiction, or complacency. Maybe he woke up feeling a great need to discover a life worth living for.
I've prayed for this man. I've prayed that God would put someone in his path to minister to him.

That sign will never leave my mind or imagination--"Help! Spiritual Problem!"

4 comments:

Rick Ross said...

Interesting. I wish you could have spoken to him.

It got me to thinking: If we were all honest, how many of us would have to carry such a sign?

Anonymous said...

The "spiritual problem' could have been a lack of spirits, if the sign-holder has a wry (rye) sense or humor. {Sorry I can't help myself!}

Rick is right: most of us, perhaps all of us, could carry such a sign. Sometimes we need to act quickly to offer help for the moment is fleeting. Sometimes we need to wait patiently where we are for the help that God is sending to us.

Thank you for sharing this story. It makes me think.
Blessings, kcp

Luke said...

Good thoughts Boss.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Rick. It would be difficult for us to carry such a sign. It would make us too vunerable and that is not in our character zone.
Hopefully, you will see him again.