Voicemail from Julie
February 2024
Miami Beach, FL
A transcript of voicemail:
I had a beautiful experience the other day that I really wanted to share with you!
I was just coming out of Trader Joe’s and saw a young man, about 25, sitting up against the corner of the store. He was holding a backpack. People just kept walking by him as if they didn’t see him there, definitely avoiding any kind of eye contact. I went right up to him, bent down a little, and asked if he was okay. He looked up and said, “Well, not really.” I said, “Awww, man! What’s your name?” He said his name is Andrew. I replied, “Andrew my name is Julie. Tell me what’s going on.”
He said that he’d come to Miami Beach to try to get something going but nothing was working out. I asked if he had any family. He said he has a mom but that she wasn’t able to help at all so I said, “Andrew you’re a good man. Hang in there. Would it be okay if I pray for you?” He said, “Sure”. So I bent down, put my hand on his shoulder, closed my eyes, and started to pray, “Lord, in Jesus name, I ask you to touch my friend Andrew right now and let him know how much you love him, Lord. He needs your help. Please provide his needs…physical, mental, and spiritual. He needs your encouragement, Lord, and wisdom and direction and I ask this in Jesus name.”
He thanked me for praying. He had such kind and clear eyes. Then I asked him what I could do for him. I told him that I had two bananas in my bag and asked if he would like to have one. He said, “Wow that’s really crazy. I was just thinking how great a banana would taste right now!” So I gave him one.
I asked if he had any water and he said, “Oh I’m okay. I have some water right here.” He proceeded to pick up the paper cup his water was in and the bottom of the cup totally fell out and all the water ran out. He said, “Well, there went my water!”
I said, “Andrew, could I go back in and get you some water? I have to tell you that I have a son who was living in L.A. and without my knowing it he was living on the streets. It had gotten to the point where he didn’t even have a dollar to buy a bottle of water and no one would give him one! I want you to have some water.”
I opened my wallet and showed it to him and told him that I literally had no cash on me except 70 cents in change and a debit card. I told him he could have the change as it was all I had to give. At first he refused but I said, “Just take it. It may come in handy. I’ll go in and get some water. Is there anything else you’d like? I’m a little low on funds as payday is about 8 days away but I could go up to about $15.00.” He said, “I could go in with you and pick out a few things.” So I smiled and said, “Let’s go!” So he stood up and together we went into the store. I got a cart and waited near the door by the produce section while he shopped.
He came back with a salad, canned juice, and one more bottle of water. I told him, “Andrew you need more than that. We can go up to $15. Go get a little more!” So he came back with a package of smoked salmon, another bottle of water, and another banana.
We left the store and went back to his corner. While he was still standing I said again, “Andrew you’re a good man. Remember that. Things will get better.” As we parted I reached out my hand to shake his and when he shook my hand I put both hands on his and told him he was going to be okay.
Once again I encouraged him to hang in there and to please don’t give up. He thanked me and said this had really made a difference in his life today. I said, “Andrew you’re the one who has blessed me!”
From Julie in Miami Beach