Change of plans..

I had planned on writing a post this morning about disappointments. I’ll get to that in the near future, but my plans were changed by a passing image.
I was on my way to work when I saw a sign twirler sitting at the corner where he was going to be spending his day. He was sitting in the grass by the sidewalk, staring blankly at nothing in particular. I zoomed past him, as did countless other cars, buses and trucks. It was a very provocative image: a person, not so different from me, mentally preparing to do what he had to in order to find the strength to get through the day. I wondered if this was his only job or if he had lost his job of choice and was willing to do whatever he had to in order to make it. Does he have a wife? Kids? What debts does he carry that make him willing to stand in the Sacramento summer heat all day waving a sign for slightly better than minimum wage?

Melody and progressions and lyrics somehow found their way to my pen.  This happens to me fairly often, where I just puke out some lyrics.  Driving past this young man caused me to wonder about others who are in what they consider to be a very difficult time in their life.  It is part of my existence as well.  How many times do we drive or walk past someone who is experiencing the hardest or worst day of their life?

Save Me

Sitting in the grass with his headphones on
Got 5 more minutes to rest
Before he’s gotta get up and get to work
Try to do his best.
Spends all day just staring out
Cars come and go in line
He used to wave a holy banner
Now he just waves a sign.

Save me.
Save me.
Jesus save me.
I need You right now.

Everyone shakes their head and tells her
That’s just the way it goes
Even she knows the answer:
You reap what you sow.
You got what you deserve
Mirror shows the shame in her eyes
Isn’t someone gonna tell her
That those are all just lies?

Save me.
Save me.
Jesus, save me.
I need You right now.

Is this a let down or just a time out?
Will something ever just give
Or is this just the way it is now?
Hard to stomach the life you live
It’s hard to keep on hoping
Hard to find the right step to take
Well maybe right now’s the right time
To just plop down and wait.

Save me.
Save me.
Jesus, save me.
I need You right now.

Right now would be a good time
For You to come through for me…