The Girl in the Park

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live."  -Jackie Windspear

This morning, I took Wrigley to an arboretum to meet up with my new friend, Megan. The more I learn about her, the more I admire her, and today, she blew me away. As we took the dogs to a little area on the lake, there was a young woman sitting on a bench. She had a bag, a gallon of water, some music, and a box full of cigarettes, lighters, and other little things. It was very clear she was getting ready to do some kind of drug, though it was hard to say which one. 

The girl was so sweet and asked about our dogs and struck up a conversation with us. After a few minutes, Megan stepped forward and touched the girls arm. "Are you ok?" 

The girl simply said,"oh yeah...I'm fine. I just like to come out here in the mornings."

"Are you sure? Because I see you have a bag, and it is really cold, and I just want to make sure you are ok. Do you have any food or gloves?"

"Yeah yeah, I live close by. It is cold, but I try not to stay here too long."

Megan, "Ok, I am not trying to be annoying, but I have been a social worker and a mother for a long time, and I have been 22 and with no money, and I just want to make sure you have help if you need it." 

The girl paused and looked at us and said, "Oh my God. There are still people like you that exist? This is so good to know around Christmastime. Thank you so much, but I am really ok." 

We said we would leave her to her alone time and to have a great day, and we left.

Not only was she absolutely beautiful, but she was friendly and sweet. What a beautiful girl that I would have passed by, if not for Megan. I was silent for a few seconds after we walked away. Megan turned to me and said, "Sorry, I was trying to figure out how to make sure she was ok without making you feel awkward. It's just that I have seen that too many times, and I can't overlook it." She was worried about making me feel awkward when she was reaching out to someone who seemed to need help!! Unreal...but so inspiring. 

I am left feeling inspired, impressed, and if I were being honest...ashamed. If Megan hadn't been there, I know that I would not have approached that girl, much less be sure she had everything she needs. Isn't that so common for us to do? At times, we don't know what to say, we are afraid of offending them, or we are too scared, perhaps, of what it means to reach down into their lives and extend grace. Or, we are so caught up in our own lives that we are blind to the suffering of the person sitting next to us in a park, in a coffee shop, in our family. 

It was the most beautiful reminder to show compassion, and to do it fearlessly. Would it be better for me to feel less embarrassed than to ask someone if they need a meal or a place to sleep? Let's all remember to never be too busy to ask someone if they need a meal, if they needs gloves, if they need to talk. It is easy to walk past and go about our day, but let us show GRACE to each and every person, and when we have an opportunity, to seize upon it.

Thank you, Megan, for reminding me how important it is to look at every person as an opportunity to show grace and compassion, whether a millionaire who is lonely, or the poverty-stricken person who is hungry. Thank you for showing me what it means to live a a life of grace.

-Linbrooke

p.s. I watch this show, and if ever there is an example of living grace, it is in this series: