The Passenger

Nothing makes you question life like a plane ride.
Squished into a capsule full of hairy arms, coughs, B.O.
A helpless passenger in the hands of a pilot.

As you takeoff, your eyes close + flood with questions like:
If this airplane ride is my last breath, am I ready?
When was the last time I told Mom, I love you?
Is this guy to my right gonna keep hogging the armrest?

The lights go off. Cue for you to sleep
But the couple next to you is chattering
They look 80 but they tell you, they just got married 2 months ago!
Grew up around each other, but only realized recently
That it was love

On your connecting flight, you sit next to this sullen guy
(Did you know minor leaguers only make $10 an hr?)
He had to quit cuz of tendinitis in his throwing arm
Now he's divorcing his wife + wondering
How's he gonna to support his 2 daughters
When he's unemployed?

Landing is always more frightening than takeoff
Noisier, shakier, + you've seen too many fiery wrecks on CNN
But you're strangely calm
A world full of joys + pains
+ you're just another passenger
In a world full of airports

It makes you feel smaller than ever
+ reminds you that He's as big as He's always been.

The Flower Seller

You see me + probably think I'm a con artist.

I sell flowers, 1 for $3, 2 for $5. It goes toward a local homeless shelter.

It's funny cuz I look homeless myself. Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. Maybe the homeless charity is me. But people like to give money to an institution…somehow makes it less personal. For some reason, people don't like giving money to actual people.

I go into this Chinese restaurant that lets me in usually, long as it's not too busy. It's Saturday night but it'd dead. Cuz the food's too greasy, if you ask me. Canton, MI ain't exactly Malibu, CA, if ya know what I mean. Plus the economy's goin down the tubes. That trickles down to me too, you know.

Only a few tables. Dang, no young couples. Can always count on some rash young buck to bust out w/ a dozen roses to impress his new chick…that's $20 right there, make it $30 for 2 dozen. But no, just a buncha older folks tonite. One table waves me away before I can even make eye contact, sheesh.

There's this group in the back though. Looks like some kinda celebration. Nice lookin folks, kinda loud. Maybe all those good vibes will mean somebody feels romantic, or @ least a little guilty. Hopefully not too annoyed @ some dirty homeless guy interrupting their party. Uh oh. I get some wary glances before I'm halfway to their table.

"Would any of you guys like some flowers?"

No, it's okay, they say.

"All the proceeds go to the local homeless shelter."

By their nervous glances, I can tell they're probably some kinda religious folk. If they don't care, they'll just yell @ me. But if you're a good Christian, you ain't 'sposed to yell @ poor homelesss guys right? @ least not when ppl are watching.

"So which homeless shelter is it?" One of the fellas asks me. Can't tell if he's genuinely wanting to know, or trying to call me out as a fake. Looks like the youth leader maybe, kinda young-looking + not very confident. Been there less than a month, I bet.

"Oh, it's Detroit Health Care for the Homeless," I say. "Right down the street, actually, do you want our card?"

No it's ok, he says. Shakes my hand + asks for my name. Robert, I tell him. Then he starts looking around @ the end of the table, as if he's checkin to see if there's a seat for me. Like he's really gonna invite me to sit down wit' 'dem! Ha! Like that's really happenin. These nicely-dressed Asian churchy folks, having me as their special guest for dinner! Sometimes I crack myself up.

Another of the guys says he'll buy a couple of flowers. Just to get me outta there, sounds like. Fine w/ me. He's only got a twenty so I count out his change. Some real nice guys. Suckas. I turn around to leave, and the youth pastor guy tells me in kindofa sad voice, Have a good night there Rob.

Yeah, I'd have a better night if you all weren't so stingy, only buying 2 flowers just to get me outta your face. Funny, if he can't use me as a sermon illustration or as some story in his online blog about witnessing to people, would this guy even give a rip about me? Shake my hand, ask my name + act all friendly, say "God bless you" in front of all his churchy friends?

Doubt it. People only give if they know somethin's comin' back. Guilt + 2 flowers = $5. That's how people are. Christians or not. The day I get invited to share a birthday party with some random strangers, that's the day I'll freakin become a Christian myself. Hah.

They're singing "Happy Birthday dear Jenny" as I head outside. I'm actually pretty hungry but $5 don't go too far @ a Chinese place @ dinnertime. Too bad there's no homeless shelter in downtown Canton. Guess I'm sleepin in the park again tonite.

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"
(James 2: 15, 16)

There are many who hide their soul hunger...Many of these can be reached only through acts of disinterested kindness. Their physical wants must first be cared for...As they see the evidence of your unselfish love, it will be easier for them to believe in the love of Christ. -Ellen White