At yesterday's homeless lunch I was visiting with a gentleman who routinely visits the lunches visibly drunk. In fact on more than one occasion, he has had us bring him a lunch to eat outside because he doesn't want to risk making a scene because of his level of intoxication.
As we were talking yesterday, he confided in me he doesn't want to continue drinking. "I hate getting up each morning knowing I will end up this way." We talked a bit about some of the rehab programs he has tried to no avail.
I then asked him, "What do you think it will take for you to quit drinking?"
"Jesus," was his one word reply.
I froze. I had nothing. No offer to pray with him. Not even a pamphlet.
I have spend a lot of time since then trying to figure out what I should have done/said. Nothing definite comes mind. I do know my lack of response was not out of fear, but came out of a lack of preparedness. I was not prayed up. I had not entered into the conversation with him prepared to give a witness if the opportunity arose. It arose and I froze!
This incident has weighed heavily on my mind. I know I cannot get a "do-over" on yesterday's interaction, but my prayer is that in future exchanges I will "be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15
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