Today I went to the Community Lunch. I wanted to hang out and let people know that the dinner would be open next week. People were welcoming and happy to see me. The King County Medical Van was there talking with some people outside. A group of folks, deep in addiction, were sitting on the sidewalk when a police car pulled up. The officer got out of his patrol car and aggressively started asking people questions. It was comical how no one seemed to be intimidated or in a hurry to respond. What seemed like a civil conversation ensued and the officer left. People living on the street interact with the police all day long. A friend of mine sat on the steps and talked with me for about a half hour. He had a Ham radio from his landscaping job that he plans on quitting. “The other guy was attacked by some wild animal in the bushes.” I agreed that it was probably time to move on! While we continued to chat, his buddy came by and joined in the conversation. My friend began to talk about needing to chill out after a rough couple of days. Not only had work been literally terrifying, but a group of cyclists had assaulted him earlier in the week. His friend began to express deep levels of care and concern. “Maybe you should volunteer tomorrow. You need to take care of yourself. I know when I get down, I need to make sure I am actively seeking out positive people and places.” I stood there silently nodding my head, blessed to see the power of friendship on the street. We talked about heavy metal and mosh pits too! “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father (John 15:15).”

Michael Cox