I had emergency care of a child and this child was dropped off by the dad, whom I had never met before. Mum was in hospital and the dad told me that he wasn't exactly sure of the pick-up time, but it would be sometime before 3 o'clock. That's okay, we'll be here when you get back.
Now on Friday, we were getting some of the best rain we've had in years and it was just bucketing down outside. So at approximately 1:30, I saw the man running up my driveway through the pouring rain and then come on to my front porch... so I opened the door. Only it wasn't the dad. It was a total stranger.
(my screen door is always kept locked, but because I thought this was one of my parents, I had unlocked the door)
As soon as I saw him up close, I knew he wasn't the dad... but he asked if he could come in and use my phone to call his uncle to come get him... and it was obvious he had some sort of intellectual disability. I told him no, I couldn't do that, since I was busy. He then asked if I would call his uncle for him. Again, I told him no. Then he asked ME to drive him to his uncle's because his foot was hurting.
I said "No luv, I'm sorry, but I can't do that" and attempted to close the door.
Well, he started pushing on the door so that I couldn't close it and then he yelled, "well, give me some f***ing money and cigarettes then". But he was acting more frustrated and scared than violent, if that makes any sense. Anyway, I finally managed to get the door closed and once it was shut and bolted, he continued to kick at the door and pound on the wall and he kept screaming at me to give him some f***ing money or cigarettes.
So I called 000 and they sent a police car out. By the time they got here, he was 2 blocks away, but they stopped him and questioned him.
And that was that.
Until 4:30 am this morning.
I was woken with constant pounding on the door and when I looked out through the peep hole.... yep, it was the same guy. He obviously had heard me moving around or saw the lights and he started calling out that he was being murdered and that he was cold and hungry.... And I could hear in his voice that he was crying and scared. It moved me... again. It really did, but what else could I do?
Again, I called 000.
He was still here, sitting my my front porch bench when the cops arrived and when they spoke to him and asked him why he was knocking on my door, he said " because she's a very nice lady and no one is ever nice to me. I like her a lot because she's like my mum and God says to be nice to people and she was kind and nice to me... so I think that lady has God inside her house".
Where does that leave me? What does this tell me?
Do I continue to be kind to total strangers and possibly make a difference in someones life? Or do I turn my heart against people like this?
I have to be honest. My first thought when the police led him away was Hebrews 13:2.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
(Hebrews 13:2)
Do I do what my heart tells me to do... or do I harden my heart, put my safety and well-being first and take the chance that I'm erring against God?
I still don't know.
7 comments:
Wow. What a story.
I think you're doing the only thing you can do. You have to call for help in situations like this because, well, you just never know.
I wonder if the police are able to help this man. After they talk to him, do they take him anywhere for help? I'm not even sure what our police here would do. I just wonder if they can take him to the hospital for some kind of evaluation.
I want you, my new bloggyland friend, to be safe. But I'll sure remember this confused soul you've told us about in my prayers and hope that he finds the help that he needs.
Be safe.
The first time, they just took him home to his uncle, but this morning, they took him to the psyche ward for evaluation, because they considered him a danger to himself and others.
He's in my prayers too... poor soul.
Aye Katie, your heart is always in the right place hun, but I think in this instance you did the right thing by listening to your head. This is exactly why I hate being far away from my family. Bec and Josh in No Cal and my oldest in the Virgin Islands. And now after this little bit of info, You. Stay Safe
I think you did the only think you could do in that situation....but I hope the man gets the help he needs from the hospital. You have such a good heart!!! :)
Sherri and Andrea, I know you're both right, but it's hard, ya know?
I just hope he gets the help he needs.
Sherri~~ tell Josh to get that goat shed cleaned out.. I wanna come home!
Are you going to Murphys for Christmas?
I think you did the right thing, both for your safety and his.
No unfortunately I'm not going home for Christmas, come to think of it, it's Josh and Bec's turn to come down here. Doesn't look like they are coming though :(
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