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Yes, I Have a Quarter
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Pocket Full of Quarters Trek 2012
Yes, I Have a Quarter
By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
O shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isa 55:11-12 KJV
“Ma’am,” a young man politely called out as I passed. “Do you have a quarter?”
I’d already noticed the three young men standing outside the mall and recognized them as “Travelers” or what some call the “Dirty Kids.” These are groups of young people who are homeless and travel the country asking for money, occasionally running scams, and getting rides across the country by encouraging other young people, who still have access to cars and parent’s credit cards, to join their traveling bands. I see them everywhere and their numbers are growing daily.
I laughed and said, “I certainly have a quarter. I am The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady.” I walked closer, steeling myself for the smell of his unwashed body. I reached in my bag and handed him a quarter, explaining what being The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady actually meant.
I was surprised. Usually these groups ask for more money. I’ve had them ask for as much as $10. I always give them whatever they ask for but let them know that I know who they are and what they doing. They always seem surprised that I know about the Travelers and seem to enjoy discussing their life on the road. I bargain with requested money by telling them that I want to give them some good news first.
Most of them are into the “universe” and being “god” themselves but they do want that money. They are polite, which is part of their “shtick” and listen closely to the Gospel but usually decline calling on Jesus. I walk away grinning, knowing I’ve tricked a trickster because God’s word will not return void.
This young man only asking for a single quarter from the “Pocket Full of Quarters Lady” gave me hope that God was at work and that it was his time to call on the name of Jesus. I was not disappointed. After he prayed to receive Jesus, I asked if I could pray for him. I prayed for his life, safety, and for strongholds to be broken. I prayed that he would find a job and a home. His friends watched with wary eyes but didn’t participate.
When I left, I resisted the urge to tell him that if he wanted a job, he would probably have to bathe before the job interview. He seemed intelligent and probably already knew that.
If you are interested in how I started being The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady, click here: Why Quarters?
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