how to get close to the vulnerable
You asked for it, you got it.
You’ve been asking me to go here. To share specifics of getting close. To take you places where I go in the book. To bring you along on my walks through the city and show you how I interact. Is it because you like a good story? Or is it because you’re venturing out in your faith and see, feel, and sense God leading you beyond your comfort zone fence?
Honestly, I really don’t have a clue what I’m doing, but this I know - I’m learning to follow Him anywhere.
If there’s been a stirring in your spirit, a prayer in your soul that hasn’t formed words yet, but you think it’s something like this: God, I know the needs around me. I don’t know how to meet them. Will you use me?
Let me show you what happened when I went on a walk and got close to the vulnerable…
With intention, I went on a walk in my city for a couple of hours between meetings. I would run an errand or two during this time, grab a cup of coffee, and pray as I walked.
One benefit of prayer walking is the acute awareness to what is around you. You see things you don’t see when you’re driving or distracted or disinterested.
So as I crossed Mission and 4th, I heard loud crazy noises to my back left. The moment I reconnected to the sidewalk, I stopped and turned. A Jehovah’s Witness display and two of their missionaries were between me and the man making the noises. He was not making sense as he dragged a blanket in circles in the intersection. Unfortunately, this doesn’t shock the people of San Francisco, but it should sadden us all. We cannot be okay with this.
I’m learning to voice the Name of Jesus out loud towards a situation or person that I can’t approach. (This takes discernment and what I speak of are moments where safety comes first.)
I knew the two missionaries were in my view for a reason. So I prayed out loud for all four of us. Jesus, there is power in Your Name, there is healing in Your Name. You love us all so very much. This man is hurting. Whatever spirit is gripping him, holding him in bondage, You have all authority to set him free. In the Name of Jesus, set him free.
A busy sidewalk keeps me from looking out of place as I prayed aloud. I believe he calmed down. Was this a prayer being answered? Was he physically exhausted from shouting? Regardless, for his sake, I’m grateful. I smiled at the missionaries for whom I prayed, and kept walking.
I stepped into Marshalls across Market Street. I had just started sliding hangers to the left when a larger man with layers larger than he appeared to my right. He brushed up against me then quickly apologized. He got back to what he was doing. What was he doing? The second the question entered, so did fear. He was arranging store goods into his layers, his back closely against my right side. My feet locked. My hands shifted to slow motion with the hangers. My eyes spotted a beautiful light gray velvet J. Crew dress with a red sticker on it. My heart tripled in beats. My brain lost communication with my feet. My palms grew wet. My body temperature rose.
My soul cried, “tell him Jesus loves him. Tap him on the shoulder. Tell him Jesus loves him.”
I knew this was why my feet wouldn’t move. My soul had gained control of the communication center of me and my brain wouldn’t regain it without obedience first.
I tapped and whispered loud enough for just the two of us. “Sir, I don’t know what you’re going through, but I’m suppose to tell you that Jesus loves you. He loves you very much.”
He pivoted his body and his eyes met mine. Seconds went slowly.
“Thank you.” The most sincere thank you ever received.
“Sir, can I get you a basket for your items?” an employee asked as she approached him from the other side of us. I loved her question! There was no shame or accusation in her posture. I also loved that my feet came unlocked, my hands lifted the hanger holding the light gray velvety dress with a red sticker, and I went to the dressing room. As I suspected, it fit perfectly. I must have burned the right amount of calories in all the right places in the previous moment.
My plan was to check out and get to my meeting, then find time to process what I had just experienced. But the larger man with the layers was waiting for me. “I’m not doing good. I’m in a really bad place. You reminding me that Jesus loves me is what I need to hear.”
Here we were again. Me, the man, and Jesus.
“What’s your name?”
“Charles. Charleston actually.”
“I’m Shauna.” Our hands greeted.
“Charleston, I meant it. Jesus does love you. I had the hardest time getting those words out to you though.”
He looked surprised. He had no idea what I was going through. I had no idea what he was going through. We didn’t have to know that much about one another.
“I’ve found a place where I feel loved and accepted just as I am. We learn about Jesus. I come to this place on Tuesdays and we enjoy a meal and then talk about faith and life. I’d love for you to come.”
I handed him an invite card to our church and shared about Alpha. He was interested. His smile said so. We left one another. My eyes spotted the employee who had spoken to Charleston.
“Aren’t you the one who approached us earlier?” As if me and Charleston couldn’t be segregated.
“Yes and because of what you said, he emptied our store goods from his layers into the basket.”
I looked surprised. I had no idea because my mission seemed complete as I tried on the dress. It was now the employee’s turn to see God show up. We got to learn this from one another.
“He told me you told him that Jesus loves him.”
That was true. Our smiles said so.
“Do you have faith in God?”
“I do.”
“Then you know!”
As I waited for me turn in line, of course, the next open register was this employee.
Smiles returned. “I’m Shauna.”
“I’m Mattie. I’m the manager here at Marshalls.”
We talked briefly about faith and raising a family in the city.
I applauded her approach to Charleston earlier and she told me it’s company policy to not accuse or assume and to offer a way out.
We agreed that Jesus always offers a way out and today He used me and Mattie.
When I prayed for the four of us on the sidewalk, I now know that Jesus set me free for the purpose of the moment in Marshalls. Getting close to the vulnerable frees us all.
Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18
Next week: How to talk to strangers
Coming soon: Why keep praying?
As of publishing this post, I haven’t seen Charleston again. But I’m praying for his safety and protection and for the truth that Jesus loves him to keep ringing in his ears until it takes a hold of his heart.