I wrote this last year but never posted it here… I have been thinking a lot about the woman I met, her name was Martha… every time I see a homeless person, I think of her. Every time I pass by an area where she used to hang-out, I think of her. I know I will never forget her.
Hebrews 13:2
Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done so have entertained angels without knowing it.
Lately, I have been thinking alot about a woman I met about a year ago. Her name was Martha, and she was a homeless lady. We moved here almost two years ago…husband’s job transferred us. From the time we arrived at our new home, I started seeing this lady walking around town, usually pushing a shopping cart. She stood out from the other homeless people I had seen in the past. She looked so regal. She wore a red turban on her head, and had a thick, red, long-sleeved shirt and a thick, red, floor length skirt on.
I would see her most days I was out and about running errands. She definitely got around, some days she would be approx 5 miles from our home, other times she would be right around the corner. She tended to set up camp in one spot for a while, then would move on a little ways up the road. I do not know if this was because she had been asked to move on or not.
One day, my boys wanted McDonald’s, so I told them I would stop off and get them some after I ran my errands. It just so happens I saw Martha as I was headed to McDonald’s. That’s when it hit me. I would order something for her also, and take it to her. I wanted to show my boys that everyone matters. We are all equal and no one person is better than another. I bought her a meal and a drink and proceeded to drive to the park where I had last seen her.
My oldest asked me what we were doing, where were we going. I told him. He replied with, “What if she’s crazy, what if she pulls a knife on you?!” I told him I would just have to take my chances and I did not think she was dangerous. You have to understand, I am a very shy person. I had NEVER done anything like this before, but I felt the Lord was telling me to do this.
I got out of the car, both my boys watching from inside. I approached her, she was sitting at a table in the park, eating an apple. I said hello and introduced myself to her, extending my hand to her, thinking she would shake it, she did not. She told me her name was Martha, and that she did not need my food because, “The Lord provides for me.”
She went on to tell me a bit about herself, how she felt the Lord had told her to leave everything behind and trust Him to provide for her while she shared the Gospel with those she met. I could not tell her age, she was African-American, I could tell she was older, but I am not sure how old. Her skin was weathered. I do not know how long she had been out on the streets. She talked about how good the Lord is, and how most people are too busy to realize all the blessing that are around them, everywhere. She did most of the talking, I listened. At one point she told me she had been abused while out on the streets, but the story she relayed to me was so horrific and unbelieveable, that I do not know if it was factual or not. I could tell that she did have some mental issues, so that made it harder for me to believe her tale of terror. I do know she believed it with all her heart.
After about 20 minutes or so, I told her I had to get back to my boys in the car (they were 16 & 3 at the time). We said our goodbyes and I left her sitting there, eating her apple.
I thought about her often after that, everytime I left the house I would look for her and I would usually see her around town. Then in December, she moved her base camp about 6 miles away. I would pass it on the way to the post office. I noticed her sitting behind her shopping cart a few times, then I did not see her. I passed her shopping cart approx three times in December, and the last two times she was not near it. Then I passed it one day & it looked like someone had been going through her cart, there was trash and debris all around it. That was not the way Martha kept her area, her space was always very clean and neat. One day I passed by and the cover she always placed over her cart was gone, and everything was in disarray, Martha was nowhere to be seen. I was very worried.
The next time I passed by, her cart was gone. That was in early January. I never saw her again. I believe she has passed away. I wonder if she has been buried, or if she is in a morgue somewhere, waiting to be identified. Does anyone know she’s gone? Does she have a family somewhere? Are they looking for her?
Then there are days that I can’t help but think she was an angel, sent here to do a job. How cool would that be if she were an angel and I had talked to her? If she wasn’t an angel then, I know she is now.
Her name was Martha, and she mattered. Her name was Martha, and she was someone’s child. Her name was Martha, and I will never forget her.
Rest in peace, Martha.
~Mommy Powers
