By the time I make Albuquerque

Day Four of our great Southwest Adventure takes a turn towards the North as Steve and I plot our route to Denver, which was the original choice for this vacation of ours.  Thus far we've been to Arizona and have enjoyed the wondrous creations of the Sedona and Grand Canyon.  Wow!  What marvels abound in God's territory!  

As we've driven around the state, we have pondered indeed what is man that God is mindful of him.  We've reveled in the highs of the mountains and the lows of the valleys, wondering if God perhaps just stomped His foot once during creation to see what would happen and, voila`!  There is the magnificent divide of the canyons, deserts, and plains.  If so, nice job, Father!  

Our trip has offered us many opportunities to mingle with the laid back country folks, as well as some tourists.  Most experiences have been pleasant as backgrounds have been discussed and next points of interests related.  For instance, there was a man yesterday who told us that his backyard was the Painted Desert and all of his friends who knew he lived there were in awe due to the one photograph someone had taken to entice folks to visit that area of Arizona.  He laughed as he recalled how that man had spent over ten years waiting for that perfect shot and how in reality that vision only took place for about fifteen minutes of each day.  

So with the good there's always some bad, right, to keep one focused and grounded?  Panhandlers.  Sigh.  As we stood on the corner in Winslow, Arizona yesterday, there was this man, biding his time while we took the token photos, and then he approached us, story in hand, hand extended for a hand out.  Ugh.  And last night, as we were leaving our hotel to go explore and get some authentic New Mexican Cuisine (which by the way was wonderful at Little Anita's!) we were accosted by a woman with her young daughter.  Sob story flowing through her fake tears, she explained how she knew Steve worked hard for his money as she did hers.  However, they missed the meal at the mission and could we....blah blah blah.  I had just taken out a couple of apples (as Steve explained that we don't carry cash) and offered them to the females in front of me, wondering if that would satisfy a real need or if they were just playing us.  The child gladly took hers and began to bite into it as the mother thanked us profusely but I could tell by her eyes that she was just trying to keep her act going as her eyes were already scanning the horizon, on the search for her next prey.

As we began to drive off, consciouses confused as to whether there was any truth to their plight, I saw said woman being what appeared to be berated by a man (her pimp, perhaps?) as she only had the apple to offer him.  Head low, I could almost feel her fear and shame as she had not been successful in her quest with us.  Affirmed that we had indeed been played, our hearts nonetheless were disquieted within us as conversed on many of the possibilities that made people act and be treated this way.

Sigh.

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand."  (Proverbs 19:21)

I am sure this was not the life this woman dreamed of living.  And her daughter/accomplice?  What dreams does she have that are dwindling daily as she panhandles her youth away?  Heartbreaking is what it is.  

Steve and I are still confused as to whether we should have done more.  We planned us an action scheme for the next time, for there is sure to be one.  Until then, as our plans continue, we can only pray that we will be wise as serpents, gentle as doves as we try to represent the love of Christ wherever we roam.  Pray for us?  Thanks!