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February 27, 2013
Then the Gangly Men Come Along
A story of pizza, phones, and personhood.
People are everywhere. You know what I mean? I can’t seem to get away from them. Take downtown Portland for instance. Downtown Portland is full of them. It is like walking through an anthill or living inside a pinball machine. Bodies everywhere.
Most of the bodies don’t even know I am there. They are content with the companionship of their agenda or their handheld mobile device, so I return the favor.
Okay, here’s the deal. I don’t even remember his name. Truth be told, I don’t think I ever took the time to learn his name. This is just the beginning of my sickness… I mean… well, more on that later.
I was downtown. It was maybe 8:30pm on a Thursday evening. I had managed to find street parking (score!) just a few blocks away from Jake’s Grill on Tenth Street (not to be confused with Jake’s Famous Crawfish, which is up on Twelfth). I was hurrying to meet my friend Wilson.
It was a lovely evening, warm, and the streets were hopping. I was on my cell phone chatting with an old roommate from college named James. We hadn’t spoken in years and we were getting caught up. I passed the culinary school and came to the corner just across from Jake’s. The grill is situated on the Northwest corner of the old Governor Hotel, a beautiful landmark just ten blocks from the Willamette River. As I strode onto the sidewalk, I could see Wilson through the window. I waved with my free hand and prepared to enter the brass and glass doorway.
Before I could reach the handle a tall figure suddenly blocked my path. He was a few inches taller than me with scraggly blonde hair and a soiled red flannel. His hand was extended and his eyes were pleading.
“Hold on a second,” I said to James.
“What do you want?” I asked tersely but politely to the gangly man.
“Do you have a dollar?” he replied.
“A what?”
“A dollar.”
“What do you want a dollar for?”
“I’m hungry.”
He said it matter-of-factly. Then he paused. I watched his mental gears turn. I just waited; both James (still sitting on the other end of the handset) and I sat silently. Finally he continued, “There is a place up on Eleventh that sells pizza by the slice. Good pizza. And I am hungry.”
“(Hold on a minute James), okay, let me get this straight, you are looking for money for food?”
“Yessss.”
“And you can get a slice of pizza for just a dollar?”
“Well, no… no, you can’t.”
“What can you get a slice for?”
“Ummmm, three dollars and fifty cents.”
“So do you need one dollar or do you need three dollars and fifty cents?”
He looked genuinely puzzled, not because he didn’t understand, but maybe because he had never been interrogated like this before. “Well, I guess I need three dollars and fifty cents.”
“Okay then,” I said, “let me see if I have the change.” Using my one free hand, I scratched through my wallet and front pocket and soon handed the man three one-dollar bills and two quarters.
As I placed the money in his hand, his eyes were wide as pepperoni slices. He balled the money in his fist, flashed a full smile, and turned to clunk back up the sidewalk.
Poor James, he had just sat through the whole thing. I am sure it was quite a drama to hear through the handset. Unfortunately, the drama was not over.
As James and I tried to restore our dialogue, I once again heard the sound of the gangly man’s boots, but they were not headed away from me… they were headed directly for me, at me with intention. He had "target lock."
With a single motion he rose up in front of me and swung his right arm around. He struck me with force on the left shoulder, the same arm, by the way, that held my mobile phone against my ear. His face was intense but his eyes were kind. I know now that his intent was gratitude, not assault. All the same…
The blow sent my phone sailing through the air. It crashed to the sidewalk some eight feet away. Plastic-formed and electro-fancy pieces cracked and bounced in separate directions. And then the sound…
Like the cry of the humpback whale came the gangly man’s voice from behind me. I spun to see him: body limp, jaw hung and clinched knuckles dug into the rubbery centers of his cheeks. “What have I done?! What have I done?” His eyes now fixed on the phone pieces scattered on the sidewalk. He couldn’t stop wailing. People stopped and gawked.
Then, in a moment for which I could not have predicted, nor could I take credit. I bent down at the waist. I got low enough so I could look up into the gangly man’s face and somehow snag his gaze. “Look at me. Look at me!”
Finally, he snapped from his horror and looked at me.
“Look at me. You are a person. Do you hear me? That is a phone, just a phone. You are a person. You are a person.”
Most days I walk around in a trance. In my trance I divide the humans that I pass into two categories. A few are filed away as “people” but if I am honest, most are dismissed as “objects.” They are of no more consequence than a lamppost or a mailbox, mere obstacles of inconvenience.
Then the gangly men come along. The gangly men are the conduits of God’s grace. They rescue me from my trance. They remind me that the world is full of persons. C.S Lewis said, “You have never talked to a mere human,” reminding us not to miss the transcendence of every soul we cross. The gangly men also remind me that I am not just an object. I am a person. They help me believe it and then, act in kind.
Tony "The Beat Poet" Kriz is a teacher and speaker on faith and culture. He pastors an embedded community in one of Portland's most culturally diverse neighborhoods. His most recent book is Neighbors and Wise Men: Sacred Encounters in a Portland Pub and Other Unexpected Places (Thomas Nelson, 2012). You can follow him on Twitter: @tonykriz
Comments
Uh huh. I hope you followed him to the "good pizza" place. Some times real people need to be followed.
Posted By: Aaron | February 27, 2013 2:29 PM
Aaron, I think you missed the point.
Posted By: George | February 27, 2013 3:02 PM
"Uh huh. I hope you followed him to the "good pizza" place. Some times real people need to be followed."
What is it to you what the other does with the money?
When you act in good faith and give graciously to fulfill an asked for need the onus of responsibility to the purposing of the offering is no longer your concern...it is the concern of the recipient to purpose the grace for which it was intended.
If the recipient squanders that grace, you are free of any guilt or responsibility because you acted in good faith to the will of the Spirit of the living G-d.
Posted By: sheerahkahn | February 27, 2013 9:48 PM
Like the cry of the humpback whale came the gangly man’s voice from behind me........
It does kind of lead you to believe the encounter is once in a lifetime - "like the cry of the humpback whale..." Really???? I'm sorry - what "real person' talks like that? I don't even understand this post. (not too many whales in the Midwest) Where do you live? In a monestary or a Christian college campus or something?
I'm around homeless people all the time - if you want in on their good side - take a pint with you - take a big swig and hand them the rest of the bottle. They are real people - but you're going to have a lot tougher time convincing them you are.
Posted By: Jerry | February 28, 2013 8:11 AM
@ Jerry - Not sure what you're saying in your comment. Kriz is writing creatively to make his point with humor and style.
Posted By: Paul Pastor | February 28, 2013 8:40 AM
Seems like some readers feel Tony the Poet is using Gangly Guy to represent some platonic spiritual principle (personhood) or point (others are conduits of grace).
Others recognize in Gangly Guy the broken/fallen/selfish individuals they've met in similar situations. And they're not eager to enable the addictions.
Raises a great question. Which is the reality: Tony's poetic vision of gangly guy, or Jerry's "I know his type and I've been used by such people"?
Posted By: Pablo | February 28, 2013 9:43 AM
I believe the point of this encounter was not the money, nor the decision of how it is to be used. The point of this story is that the actions and attitudes we hold towards individuals in our community reflect to us our beliefs about how we value ourselves.
And how we value ourselves is directly related to our belief about how God sees us.
Grace is given when we live out the recognition of grace for us. The gangly man was in fear of the repercussions of gratefulness gone wrong through accident. Maybe fearful that the gift freely given a moment ago would be recanted in a demand for the $3.50 to be returned as payment for his destruction of the phone.
Thank goodness that God does not recant his gift to me.
And Tony took the time to affirm to this man that he was first and always "seen" by God as a man, as His creation.
We need more of us willing to stop and see the person and forget about our stuff.
Posted By: Cheryl Meakins | February 28, 2013 10:20 AM
Hey! Settle down Sheerah.
If that guy takes my $1 or $3,50 so he can score some smack, I have something to do with it. Assuming I frequent the streets like Mr. Kriz and if I followed that guy and found out the "good pizza" place was his dealer, guess who isn't going to have my next gift of grace. Who cares about the phone. I am responsible for helping somebody support a bad habit and helping somebody support a bad habit has nothing to do with grace. It could be argued that kind of attitude is really motivated by hate.
When about 80% of the homeless are mentally ill and engaged in some sort of substance abuse, statistically what are my chances of giving without question to someone who really needs the cash; 2 in 10? This is when I walk that guy over to the "good pizza" place, purchase the slice of pizza for him, give it to him and bid him good day and leave with no sanctimony.
But if I sense or get the impression when I am walking this guy to the "good pizza" place that he has something more nefarious on his mind like scoring smack, guess who isn't handing over $3.50...this guy. And guess who isn't getting his fix...that guy. I leave with a clean conscience instead of $3.50 poorer knowing that I may have saved that guy's life by NOT giving him $3.50. That's grace.
Posted By: Aaron | February 28, 2013 12:34 PM
"This is when I walk that guy over to the "good pizza" place, purchase the slice of pizza for him, give it to him and bid him good day and leave with no sanctimony."
You bring up a good point, and I agree with your solution to that point.
Posted By: sheerahkahn | February 28, 2013 8:08 PM
This is such an important lesson. I need constant reminders of the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. They aren't some fire hydrant or street sign to just walk past and ignore. They aren't a parking meter to pay off with some loose change so they'll go away (or to ease my own guilt). They're human beings created by God in his image. They're worth the time and effort to research what they actually need. Showing sacrificial compassion means getting to know what my community provides and helping out. In Denver (and I'm sure most major cities) there are many places homeless people can go for a meal, a hot shower, and even services to help them find housing or jobs. Building a relationship with these services (through donations, volunteering, or simply knowing where they are so you can direct homeless individuals to them) takes more time and sacrifice than passing along a few bucks. But it also breeds a lifetime of compassion, not just a moment.
Posted By: Kyle | March 1, 2013 8:52 AM
right on, Cheryl M! I appreciate your assessment.
In the hubbub of responses to this short story, maybe we're missing the point of it...you know, the one the author is trying to make. Namely, that God appears to use the profane to remind the 'pious' of the greater reality, the true essence of our personhood.
I like the ironic way that Tony the Beat Poet uses the story as his confession to believers of the oft times that people of faith try to fix 'the Other,' when it is we ourselves who could use the fixin'. Instead of immediately picking up the pieces of things pulled out of our lives, I pray that I could at least respond like Tony...not only affirming another's meaningful identity, but in so doing, realize my own.
Posted By: Bruce | March 1, 2013 9:54 AM
Bruce - way to ground the discussion back into Tony's point. This is about us as much as the "other."
Posted By: Paul Pastor | March 1, 2013 10:17 AM
If you don't mind me stepping in here, i thought this story was a real encouragement to others as we think about the homeless and the needy. Sometime what I do instead of giving them money might be to go buy them the food that they are so excited and happy about. That way we know exactly what that money went towards. I think the point of this story was just to kind of set us back in our heads a little and really evaluate our lives and put into perspective the lives of others and what we can do to help them. We need to realize that life isn't about all the electronics and fun stuff that we can get our hands on. Christ put other people into our lives so that we can have the opportunity to bless them and ultimately it doesn't matter about the phone that was shattered in the ordeal. The life of another person is what counts.
Posted By: Danielle | March 4, 2013 10:55 AM
This is a great story to learn from. I believe that the homeless man in the story had a lot to learn from the response of the man who gave three dollars. I think we need more Tony's in the world to help spread the gospel and live the life that all Christians are meant to live. Isn't planting the gospel in someones life worth millions of dollars? much less 3.50!
Posted By: Jennifer | March 4, 2013 7:45 PM
Yeah, people often forget the value of the gospel. It is a shame. It is more valuable than money, it is the giver of life. So awesome is our God!
Posted By: Danielle | March 5, 2013 12:34 AM
"I think we need more Tony's in the world..." Agreed, Jennifer! It isn't so much the "act" of what he did. The wisdom of that could be argued many different ways indefinitely. But Tony's heart...the heart that affirmed the value of a person whom most so often ignore...THAT is what we need more of. Thanks, Tony!
Posted By: Brenda | March 5, 2013 1:10 PM
I love the way Tony met the homeless man's needs--not only for money to buy a piece of pizza, and trusting him to use it the way he said he would. Also, realizing and acting upon the fact that the phone is just that, but the homeless man needed reminding that he was a real, live person of worth--worth more than a stupid phone.
If there were some way to go and have a piece of pizza with him, without making him feel that one was checking up on him that would have been even better. Many undesirables eat alone and would benefit from eating a meal with another man who was paying attention to him, listening to him and spending time with him.
I'm not criticizing Tony, but it's easy to give money, but more challenging to actually sit down and talk/listen to those who seemingly have no one. What would Jesus do?
Posted By: Katy | March 5, 2013 2:25 PM
Yea I agree, this all goes back to what would Jesus do. I think along the lines of this is are we really seeing a hurting world. We as Chrsitians need to look at the world through the eyes of God. Every day we get new opportunites to love like Jesus loves. I think of the song Motion of Mercy and the chours is,
"Living for the lost
Loving til' it hurts
No matter what the cost
Like you loved me first."
I think this story really shows that. Thanks for sharing!
Posted By: Mandy Principato | March 6, 2013 1:02 PM
I love the heart behind this man's action. It truly does not seem like the money was of any importance. It was the personal relationship and connection he was willing to make. One small action can be enough to impact and change a persons life and perspective forever. If we take the time to see the world through Christ's eyes then I believe these opportunities would be more apt to happen and the love of Christ would be known all through the world.
Posted By: Shyanne | March 6, 2013 9:12 PM
Thanks to Calvary..like the song says" He took the fall and thought of me . "He who new no sin became sin for me".. I think like Tony in our own ways we paint a different way in which we respond to His Grace.
Paul write it in like this .."while we were enemies..He (Christ ) died for us"..
Thank God for using you Tony
Posted By: Aminiasi Vakaloloma | March 12, 2013 12:31 PM
I so appreciated this article and will be using it as an illustration when I teach a Sunday School lesson entitled "Indifference or Compassionate Action?" It is based on the parable of the good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37. In the New Testament there are many scriptures talking about Jesus' compassion for people, always followed by an act of compassion He performed. Since we are to be imitators of Christ, I think our mission is clear--to choose to live a compassionate life. Society in general uses a lot of excuses to justify indifference such as: "I don't want to get involved"; "I don't know if it's an honest need"; "It's too dangerous";"I don't have time"; "It would cost too much"; to name a few. My response to those who have used those excuses, including myself regrettably is to think about God's love and compassion for us expressed in John 3:16. We must be a people of compassion in thought, word and deed.
Posted By: Lynne | March 12, 2013 4:43 PM
I just wanted to add my own felt experience. I've noticed that yes, I too ignore those around me as if we are not human. I feel odd to smile at someone or to make eye contact, as if I've trespassed into admitting that we're both alive and human. What courage to look truly into this man's face and remind him of his humanity.
Posted By: Arla Clouser | March 19, 2013 5:17 PM
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