Using Things?

LOVING PEOPLE????

Recently in my travels I stopped in Barstow, CA. For many years the truck stops there had built a reputation for housing the finest in female prostitutes around. The area has been cleaned up and changed over the past few years, to the point that there seems to be no one left anywhere, but those who work in the area.

This day would prove to be a different, yet interesting day as I drove in to the truck stop. It was about 5Pm local time than temp was about 98 degrees, and screaming hot.

I noticed a pair of ladies walking around the truck parking area. One was carrying a plastic bag, and the other simply a big friendly smile. As they spoke to the truck driver at the fuel island, I noticed that all he did was yell at them, as if they had done something wrong. But it just seem really mean.

When they got to my truck my first question was: What was that all about? They answered, we didn’t answer what he wanted to hear. So I asked what they were doing there, if they didn’t drive a truck.

Now everyone in life has some story. And we must at times listen to these, and make our own determinations as to what is really going on.

They told me that they would like to wash my windows, or wheels to get money for gas to get back home. At this I giggled a bit. They continued to tell me that they had been there most of the day, and were unable to raise any money.

I told them I would put gas in their car, if that is what they wanted so that they could get home. As we walked to the gas pumps we talked a bit about their day. It seems many folks would have given them cash, to use their bodies, in other forms. Yet no one would help them to really get home. They got the gas and left the parking lot heading for home.

As I walked back to my  truck, I remembered a song written by: Hal David& Archie Jordan. Sang by BJ Thomas. As the words came to mind, I could only wonder just how it is that we can still do the complete opposite of the words in the song.

Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be
Using things and loving people
Look around and you can see
That loving things and using people
Only leads to misery
Using things and loving people
That’s the way it’s got to be

So as you go on in your daily travels, and you see that person standing there, needed something that you can do. Simply ask yourself, is it so wrong to love?

Ladies you’ll be fine, hope you made it home.