Venice Beach, California.
Beautiful beach, bodies, sand and sun. Seems the ideal place. A place everyone wants to be. Yet I left there with a very sad heart. So many folk walking around, laying in the sun, or just sitting who are so high I wonder if they know where they actually are.
A young girl sitting on the boardwalk with a sign that simply says "HUNGRY, will take any of your left overs."
I counted 6 shops advertising "Medicinal Marijuana" from U$30 to U$40 at discounted prices. Sage leaves being sold everywhere and some shops advertising "Salvia" this causes strong hallucinations and out of body experiences.
As I walked around I was wondering to myself, "Could I ever allow my child to end up like some of these people who live here, on the beach, or around the corner out of the sight of the police only to return as soon as the sun is up to start their day again?" No matter what our children do to us or to society or to themselves I could never imagine allowing this to be where they end up. The sadness around this beautiful setting is tangible.
As we gave this young girl a pizza slice from our "left overs" I looked her in the eyes and said God Bless you, she looked away. I gave her a bottle of water and again said God Bless you. I should have done more.
I feel guilt at missed opportunity, I feel sadness for these young and old who have ended up in a situation like this.
Where are their parents, children, siblings? The unseen?
Venice Beach, California.
Beautiful beach, bodies, sand and sun. Seems the ideal place. A place everyone wants to be. Yet I left there with a very sad heart. So many folk walking around, laying in the sun, or just sitting who are so high I wonder if they know where they actually are.
A young girl sitting on the boardwalk with a sign that simply says "HUNGRY, will take any of your left overs."
I counted 6 shops advertising "Medicinal Marijuana" from U$30 to U$40 at discounted prices. Sage leaves being sold everywhere and some shops advertising "Salvia" this causes strong hallucinations and out of body experiences.
As I walked around I was wondering to myself, "Could I ever allow my child to end up like some of these people who live here, on the beach, or around the corner out of the sight of the police only to return as soon as the sun is up to start their day again?" No matter what our children do to us or to society or to themselves I could never imagine allowing this to be where they end up. The sadness around this beautiful setting is tangible.
As we gave this young girl a pizza slice from our "left overs" I looked her in the eyes and said God Bless you, she looked away. I gave her a bottle of water and again said God Bless you. I should have done more.
I feel guilt at missed opportunity, I feel sadness for these young and old who have ended up in a situation like this.
Where are their parents, children, siblings? The unseen?
No guilt please! You did more than most. You showed love. We can't change them, only God can do this. We just love and share. Sounds like you did just that. I'm going to say a prayer for this girl that she finds her way back home.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Noeline!
Thank you for your promise of a prayer for her. She was very gracious in her thanks and I too will pray that someone else soon takes more time with her and prays with her. Home is where we all belong. Home safe in the arms of Our Lord.
DeleteI agree with Kristin, you showed love and you did more than most but you also planted seeds, and maybe tomorrow God sends someone to water, and the next day to weed the ground... and maybe she will be testifying about how God would not let her go...
ReplyDeleteGod bless friend
Tracy
Thanks Tracy. I have not been able to get her out of my mind. I think I would like to go back before I leave and spend more time there....not the shopping and rushing stuff....just some quiet time. There is so much darkness and sadness. Unhappy face today.
DeleteI grew up near Venice Beach...haven't been there in many years, but even 30 years ago it was filled with so many people lost and searching. Breaks my heart to hear what you experienced but you were salt and light... And maybe we need to take these places and people back for Him by going there and praying (the promise of Joshua - everywhere you place your foot, claim for Me). I'm no where near there right now, but I pray that with you! :) - Pam, apples of gold
ReplyDeletePam, thank you so much for your words...Joshua is so appropriate - one of the ladies with us yesterday had a tattoo done - Joshua 1v9 "Be strong and courageous, Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I think though that this verse is not their reality right now. As I said I think I would like to go back and spend more time.
DeleteIt is very sad and I all we can so is lend a heloing hand where we can and pray for our lived ones to be under God's direction.
ReplyDelete