On the Streets of Ogden, Day Three

Tuesday, October 5

Today, I chose to walk just a little later in the morning. On Monday, many businesses were not yet open. Today, most businesses were open (including the "Farr Better Ice Cream Parlor").

I parked on 25th near Washington, beginning my walk in a different location and the other direction. As I began, I thanked God for the beautiful, cool day and asked Him to walk with me. I expressed gratitude that I had few aches from my fall on the previous day, and I expressed my trust that He would keep me on my feet today!

City employees were entering the Municipal Building, taco/tamale stands were setting up, and a suit with a brief case was trying the door at the Bank of Utah just across 26th Street. I made a mental note to return to the Municipal Building to report the dangerous condition of their sidewalk.

Today I was struck with the amazing variety of people in the city. I passed Hispanics, African Americans, and Anglos. Some were obviously dressed-up for business, others were dressed business casual wearing badges on lanyards, and some were clearly transient, wearing backpacks or pulling luggage. I must remember that God looks on the hearts, not on the skin or the clothes . . .

As I passed the complex identified yesterday as the Archway Youth Service Center, I realized that the facility serves a broader spectrum of human needs. I noted that people with learning and living difficulties (aka disabilities) were arriving in vans and mini-vans. It was as if God was reminding me that Ogden is not populated only by the stereotypical suburban family, that is, Dad, Mom, two kids, and a dog. There are all kinds of people with all kinds of needs, all of them having one real need, to know Jesus as Lord and Life-giver.

I was a block away from the Wonder Bread Bakery and distribution center, but I thought of how important bread is in life. Again this morning I prayed, "Give us today, our daily bread." Technically, bread is not on my diet at this time, but this part of the pattern for prayer reminds us to trust God for our sustenance. Bread . . . Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life!" An old hymn says, "Break Thou the bread of life, Lord, unto me, as thou didst break the bread beside the sea!" Jesus also faced temptation with this truth: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God!" People need this living bread, the bread of life!

Wall Street south of 25th was sparsely populated with people waiting for an opportunity to work. Remember, this portion of the city is within two blocks of the homeless center, St. Anne's, and the Ogden Rescue Mission.

I paused at Wall and 25th and looked eastward through this "historic" area. So much effort and expense has been spent to renew, restore, and resurrect this section of town. There are empty lots and empty buildings waiting for someone . . . "I am the Resurrection and the Life!" Our only hope for real renewal is in the powerful love and grace of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Along Wall Street in the block north of 25th I saw the familiar sign on an old building: "Available." Selah!

I walked past a building that had clearly been renovated and put to use again . . . there were no signs on or around the building identifying it's purpose, but people walking on the sidewalks and standing in the plaza outside the building were wearing those lanyards and identification cards. I quietly and carefully stopped a lady walking in my direction. "Excuse me Ma'am, what is in this building?" I asked. Cautiously she said, "Federal offices."

As I passed the temple/tabernacle complex, I was walking behind a man who was pushing another in a wheel chair. I intended to offer to push his friend for a few minutes, but they turned into the Mormon complex before I could overtake them. Then I noticed that the parking lot was fairly full . . . I wondered what was happening on a Tuesday morning, and I wondered what they might do for a seriously handicapped person.

Nearing my starting place I noticed three men in shirts and ties, with paperwork and rolls of paper, which I assumed to be architectural prints. They waved their hands across a vacant lot next to The Junction, probably discussing plans for development. I asked God, "What kind of plans do you have for this city? What would you like to develop?"

On a car nearby a personalized license plate proclaimed, "IFISH." When Jesus invited the fisherman to follow Him, He said, "From now on, you will catch men!" I thought, "That's what He wants us to do . . . He wants us to fish for men!"