Singing on a street corner in LA

I was in LA yesterday for an appearance. I’ve made this trip enough times now, that I am used to it. I arrived early and decided to have lunch at The Original Pantry, former LA mayor Riordan’s restaurant at the corner of 9th and Figueroa. I had plenty of time to walk the two blocks to my meeting.

It was a beautiful day yesterday and there were plenty of people out around 12.30-1 p.m. Film crews and street vendors were there. And a big guy with a cup of money in his hand offering to sing to passersby. Over the last ten years I have hardened my heart to giving money in cases like these. I usually just say “No, Thank You!” and walk briskly by. I did the same yesterday, but felt a prick of conscience as I did. I promised the still small voice that if the “singer” was still there when I came back I would stop, notice and be open to giving.

About an hour and a half later as I crossed the street to my paid parking lot, the “singer” was on the corner, having given up on vocalizing and merely asking for money from pedestrians. I stopped and asked, “Are you still singing?” “Yes, I am,” he said. “What kind of songs do you sing?” “I sing Christian songs.” “Well, go ahead, sing one,” I said.

And there on the corner of 9th and Figueroa in LA, he started to sing, “Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee…” And to my amazement, I joined in, “How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art.” Then I took the tenor harmony! “How Great Thou Art, How Great Thou Art!” I opened my wallet and gave him a blessing. He told me he was a “saved man.” And that the Lord had told him that a blessings was coming his way on that street corner.

I thanked him for letting me sing with him and headed to my car. Nice!