A Meeting with the Ambassador of New Orleans

“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out,
but to see who cares enough to break them down.”– Socrates

Currently we are in Alabama spending some time again with the lovely couple we met on our travels this winter. I wrote about their ‘Secret Garden’ in this post:

We just came from New Orleans. What a crazy, colorful city! Some friends came too, and we spent a good couple days walking the French Quarter (including infamous Bourbon St.) watching the bizarre street performers, listening to amazing music, and of course eating and drinking some of the city’s unique specialities.

At times I was overwhelmed at the city’s more dark and despondent features. However – People are people no matter where you go. When you stop and really look, there is light.

Like “Mighty Quinn”. He was one of the many beggars in the city we passed by, a more happier one, really, just sitting there smiling at people with a baseball cap upside down in his lap. Now I don’t usually do this, but I felt inclined to give him a few dollars. In response he pulled out colorful beads that I didn’t see at first, but maybe was hidden in his jacket. He insisted on giving them to us. We said no thanks, but he simply would not take no for an answer.  In fact, our attempt at taking just one necklace each wasn’t enough. He had to give ALL of them! His persistence in doing so made us laugh.

Has He not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith? – James 2:5

Quinn stood up and talked to us for awhile in the street.  He was in no hurry to let us go, and actually, we weren’t in a hurry to move on either. :-)  This happy “Ambassador of New Orleans” told us how beautiful we were.  He reminded us of our oneness as people created in God’s image. He talked about honoring one another, and the importance of men protecting women on the streets.  He held our hands, complimented each of us, and wanted to know our names.  He hugged us, and told us that someday we would all be together with God.  His simple, joyful statements of faith were inspiring to me. Actually, I felt loved by God through this man at that moment. It was a picture to me of the lavish display of friendship, acceptance and provision that the Father heart of God pours out on us in return for what we feel is just a pitiful offering.

Life More Abundant

We passed by another beggar right after that. He was a young man with a dirty face, dis-shelved hair and clothes, and holding a sign that said, “Ugly, Rejected, and Broke.” He didn’t look anyone in the eye, but kept his head low. I really felt for this man. I know what it’s like to feel shame, and hide behind a “sign” with negative words about myself inscribed on it. I thought about listing in this post some of these negative labels I’ve personally carried, but instead I am happy to do so if someone inquires. My focus right now is to be thankful that the negative words that are put on us – are not us. They don’t have to be. This young man is a part of the human race in which every single person has been intentionally formed by the Creator’s hands with hope, purpose, and a unique personality that in its purest form expresses a part of God Himself!  We are from Him and by Him, and I believe Jesus came to be the absolute proof of God’s gracious heart toward us, willing and able to deliver us from the prison of our minds, heal our messed up lives, and walk with us intimately in friendship. This young beggar is not an exception to this wonderfully good news. No one is! :-D

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His deep longing for you is to have life,
and have it more abundantly  – John 10:10

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P.S. Below is a slideshow of pictures from our New Orleans trip …

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[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”2″]

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