Last month I traveled to San Francisco for a trade show at the Mascone Center. I stayed at the Hilton (Bentley should be proud of me) in Chinatown which is approximately 10-12 blocks away from the Mascone.

The first day I took a cab to the convention center but was chastised by one of our consultants that I should walk because “it is only a few blocks away” and “it is good exercise.” I noted that he was not wearing heels, but that I would join the fight against pollution and walk back to my hotel.

It is amazing when you move outside the city that you forget certain parts that are not polite to bring up in everyday conversation, like the homeless. I used to work around the DC area and spent countless hours riding the Metro and walking to an office in downtown. I used to see the homeless on a regular basis. I would even drop a coin here and there or give them a meal that I had purchased at McDonald’s. But moving to the suburbs of Dallas has dulled these images. It all came back in a flash walking down the streets of San Francisco.

So many homeless people, in the middle of the day, lying on the sidewalks either asleep or looking up at you, begging with their eyes. Some are too embarrassed to ask for help. Others will follow you for a few steps asking for loose change. There was one lady that I remember well. She was in a wheelchair with a sign that said she couldn’t find work. But she would sell you a bookmarker that she made with her own hands while sitting along the street.

How could I just walk on and not give them anything? There were so many of them. I said a prayer for everyone that I passed. I prayed that God would help feed them (and yes, God does use us to feed the homeless and the poor). I prayed that God would heal their minds and give them hope. I prayed for their souls.

I could not help but notice the disparity between the rich and the poor. People driving by in BMWs or Mercedes. Or walking by carrying $200 purses and wearing $500 shoes. Yet they cannot spare the cost of a meal.