Meet Steven.
We have been building a relationship with him since we first got to Malaysia. He used to be a mechanic, is incredibly smart, and loves the Lord. Like many of us, Steven found himself in a tough spot but he is unable to work. He didn’t do this to himself even though people pass him by and look at him with stares of disappointment. He WANTS to work, and he is good at what he does, but every time he tries people tell him he is just too old and they want nothing to do with him. So Steven sits in the hot sun every day, desperate for a friend and humbly doing the only thing he can do to provide for his family.
While I found most men I have met on the street passed out drunk the next day… I have found Steven in buying food for his family. Every day I pass by him there is a new light and new hope found all over his face.
Why?
Because a couple of girls from America chose to sit beside him on the dirty ground and offer him lunch or a Mcdonald’s Ice Cream. When I first found Steven, he was having conversations with himself on the sidewalk and now he has 8 new friends who won’t stop talking his ear off.
Today as I stopped to sit with Steven by myself, I had people stop and stare at me like I had lost my mind. One man even looked at me in disgust and told me to get off the dirty ground, then he pointed to Steven and shook his head as if Steven was the dirtiest thing he had ever seen. One lady looked at me in disappointment as another looked at me like I was walking into the Tiffany & Co with a garbage bag on. Those looks could kill, defeat, and silence anyone.
But then Steven looked at me with a smile, and it restored my heart and destroyed every hateful glance I had received. It was if the Lord was looking right into my eyes reminding me that He always sees my heart.
Then I thought to myself… why in the H-E double hockey sticks do I care what people think about me? Why have I let it rule my life and the decisions I make? Steven has joy, he has hope, and he knows he is loved and that defeats any cruel look or horrific word. That look on Steven’s face is worth it, and I can guarantee you it wasn’t there when we first met him.
So, here’s to not caring what people think and taking selfies outside of the Starbucks because Steven likes the way he looks on the screen and isn’t ashamed to sit with me… so why in the world would I feel ashamed to sit with him? Love isn’t based on color, circumstances or religion… love just is and it just does… and thank God for that.
