On How To Relieve Guilt Without Doing Anything of Substance

This morning I went to Wal-Mart to get some lunch foods. As I was leaving I saw an older man standing on a corner by a stop sign on the way out of the parking lot. I turned around and went back to Wal-Mart and bought him a jar of peanut butter, some granola bars, a pack of water bottles, and some plastic utensils. When I brought it to him, I noticed that someone had given him a cup of coffee from McDonald's. He thanked me for what I gave him and I turned around and left without saying much.

I thought to myself as I drove away "I should have prayed for him." Then I did pray for him.

But I don't know if I really helped him. It seems to me that if you really want to do something for a homeless man, you should take him to a home. Let him take a hot shower and a sink where he can make use of basic hygiene tools. Let him sleep in a warm bed and feed him good food. Make him feel welcome and give him some privacy.

I gave him some food that might last him a few days because I felt guilty. Maybe it relieved my guilt a little, but I don't really feel like I did much for him. He's still in the same state I left him in.

The Beautiful Letdown

It was a beautiful letdown
when I crashed and burned
when I found myself alone, unknown, and hurt.

It was a beautiful letdown
the day I knew
that all the riches this world had to offer me
would never do

In a world full of bitter pain
and bitter doubt
I was trying so hard to fit in
until I found out

I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I will carry a cross and a song
where I don't belong

It was a beautiful letdown
when you found me here
and for once in a rare blue moon
I see everything clear

I'll be a beautiful letdown
that's what I'll forever be
and though it may cost my soul I'll sing for free

We're still chasing our tails
and the rising sun
and our dark water planet
still spins in a race
where no one wins
and no one's one

I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I'm gonna' set sight
and set sail for the kingdom come
Your kingdom come
won't you let me down!
let my foolish pride forever let me down

Easy living, you're not much like your name
easy dying, you look just about the same
would you please take me off your list?
easy living, please come on and let me down.

What a beautiful letdown
painfully uncool
the church of the drop outs, the losers
the sinners, the failures, and the fools
what a beautiful letdown
are we salt in the wound?
let us sing one true tune

"The Beautiful Letdown" lyrics by Jon Foreman