Christ Provides

I saw her for the first time seated on a bench outside of Perkins Rowe.  

As I was picking up a book curbside, she was sitting there.  Mismatched clothes.  Backpack.  Bags at her feet.  I knew she had to be homeless, perhaps just passing through.

It was only a few days later when I spotted her again.  

She was walking on the sidewalk–not too far from where I had seen her the first time.  I could see her from a distance, carrying her backpack and those same few bags, probably holding all of her possessions.

I wondered where she was going, where she had been. 

Just days later, I saw her on that same bench.  

This time, my son was with me. I said, “Oh my, there she is. I keep seeing this woman around this area.  I think she is homeless. I can’t stop thinking about her. Maybe I should talk to her.”  

But, I didn’t stop.  I didn’t talk to her. I kept driving.

I could not stop thinking about her.

I have had many sleepless nights recently.  As I have lain awake at night, I have thought of her.  And of what her life must be like. 

Today, as I pulled into Sonic for my usual–large Diet Coke–there she was, ordering food at the window next to me.  With her backpack and bags. 

I was compelled to speak.

“Ma’am,” I said to her.  And she turned to me.

I explained that I had seen her several times–sitting on the bench, walking.  I told her I had been thinking about her.  She smiled and said nothing.

“Do you have a place to sleep?”

She smiled and said, “Christ provides.”

I nodded in agreement and asked her the question again.  She responded the same. 

“Christ provides.”

I tried a different question.  I could see she had ordered food.

“Are you able to pay for your food?”  She held up a gift card and said it again.

“Christ provides.”

I asked her if she was alone.

Again, “Christ provides.”

Perhaps she could see that I was wishing for more. She went on, “That will always be my answer. Christ provides.”  And she smiled.

“You have a beautiful smile,” I told her.

As the Sonic employee handed me my Diet Coke, I paid for my order and for hers.  

I put my car in reverse and as I began to pull away, I said to her, “I want you to know that I think of you.  That I am praying for you. I will think of your smile. And, I will remember that Christ provides.”  

She smiled and said, “I appreciate that.”  And I drove away.  

Even now, I am still thinking about her.  And her words. 

I can see her sitting peacefully on the bench.  Casually walking down the road.  And then standing next to me.  And how our paths led us both to Sonic on this random morning. 

I am hoping to see her again. I will certainly be looking for her.  The homeless woman with the big smile, all of her possessions at her feet, who reminded me of Christ’s love and provision.  

And really, that is all we need to know–the only answer to life’s questions that really matters. 

As she said, it should always be our answer. 

Christ provides.

He does indeed.  And that is enough.

For her.
For all of us.