Today at Food Lion
July 24th, 2009I was standing by my car waiting for a running partner when I met Darrol. He asked if he could come over and talk to me. I figured the parking lot was a big exposed area, my friend in the produce department was in his car nearby, and Kelly was coming soon, so I said ok. He assured me he was not violent, and that I was welcome at his place anytime (I have no idea if he picked up on my mention of my husband), that he’d love to come to my place so we could get to know each other, and if I had cigarettes or any spare change that was ok, too. He was very hard to understand, but at some point it occurred to me that I knew how to make the right type of small talk- I did it all the time in Bolivia.
Darrol had lived in New Orleans up until Katrina, but had only been here for the past few months. He had been locked up…in a group home, I think. I developed the impression that I was talking to someone with limited social skills…but who wanted to use them- an extrovert, for sure! Kelly showed up just after I found out his name, so the conversation came to an end. I feel torn between having heard bits and pieces of an interesting story and uncertain about whether I acted foolishly. I did not feel physically threatened, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t understand everything that was going on.
I went to Food Lion after my run, mega-shopping list in hand (company this weekend). The produce guy was pretty helpful- showed me where the fresh strawberries were, pointed out the free loaf of bread with purchase of two pounds of produce coupon, and wondered whether I was ok with my parking lot acquaintance. He told me a tale of a run-in his wife had in a park once…and my husband wasn’t around of course…
The butcher stopped by and wanted to know how I liked the london broil he had persuaded me to buy the other day (last day of the sale!). I was able to tell him there were no leftovers! The butcher and the produce man are the ones I know best. Some of the cashiers know I bring reusable bags. Sort of a small-town feel at the local village center, except that with meeting Darrol it’s not.
The produce man gave me flowers on my way out the door (they do that every so often)…said to tell my husband it was ok.
I think today was ok…I think it was great! But then again, I’m not sure. I’m not running again for several days, so I won’t be hanging out there early in the morning anytime soon…I’d be nervous about running into Darrol again. I’m female and I’ve gotten tricked in that parking lot before (I need just $2 more for a taxi!).
Does it sound like I was really dumb today?
Well, you make it sound a little as though you were talking to him more for your own edification than his. I think that, if you have no specific plan by which you are going to help him (and money is probably not it), it is probably not a great idea to form a relationship - by yourself, that is.
And don’t invite him home for london broil!
“You can’t do that. At least not yet!”
I actually do think he was looking to socialize more than he was looking for a handout.
But I have been thinking about the purposes behind my interactions with people. God is interested in fitting us for eternity…so I guess our interactions with others ought to keep eternity in mind. I should have talked about faith with him- most people who just want to talk would be pretty open to that, I’m thinking.
It seems you were careful-looking around for your options etc. before you had the interaction. Maybe the interaction was the moment he needed to see God’s love in you. Today we left our shoes in church for those in need (about 95% of the people leaving barefoot.). We need to be open to our “good Samaritan” moments in life and trust the Lord to use it as He sees fit.
I think its great you have a relationship with the folks at the store!
So, did you know you were going to be doing that beforehand and deliberately wear a nice or not-so-nice pair?
Nope had no idea he would ask that at the end of the sermon. In fact had on my new, fairly expensive, most comfortable shoes! There was something very moving seeing so many leave barefoot and praying for those that would be wearing our shoes.
Nice!
Anything else you want to discuss on Shannon’s site while she is away?
Ahh, but I’m back, so you people had better stay in line.
Aunty, did anyone know that pastor was going to do that?
Why did I think you weren’t returning until Tuesday? How was it?
no one knew where have you been for so long?
She’s gone again. Now we can have a comfortable gossip.
I was in Yellowstone, Aunty.
Thanks for not giving into temptation, in the form of a homeschooling mother of five, to gossip. (*gasp!*)
She just didn’t check back in time. And, she’s too busy gossiping on other sites.
I guess I’ll head over to your blog and see what that means!