This afternoon at work I was walking around the garden center helping customers find what they needed and answered their questions. The entire time I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to put them above myself and to go out of the way to help. Over the past year this task has become more of a joyful experience and less of a task.
So, as I walked up to this old black man sitting on a motorized scooter I reminded myself, "Be Jesus!" After we began talking about a few plants of his that had died I noticed the Marine Vietnam War Vetran hat he was wearing. It was then I realized that this man had seen some action and was very honorable (at least in my book).
As we continued talking he noticed the zip off shorts I was wearing (which happened to be my old Boy Scout pants) and he asked me if I was in the military. I proceeded to tell him that I was in the Boy Scouts and was actually an Eagle Scout. As soon as he heard the word "Eagle" he held up his left hand with the boy scout salute. "On my honor, I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law. To help other people at all times. To keep myself physically fit, mentally awake, and morally straight."
He smiled and asked if I was in the Order of the Arrow (which for those of you who may not know is basically like an honor club in the Boy Scouts). A intense amount of joy lit up the old mans demeanor when I told him that I was at one point enrolled in the O.A.. He then told me, "Now son please understand that I truly am not bragging, but want you to know that I am an 85 year old decorated marine war hero who has served these fine United States during three wars and it would be a true honor to me if you would let me shake your hand." – Okay, I'm not a cryer..I just don't normally do it, but right about this time I was fighting back tears with all of my might. – As he shook my hand and let go he saluted me and told me how much he appreciated me being a good and responsible man.
Afterward I finishe helping him find his remaining items and as he was about to go to the checkout he stopped. The old man looked me straight in the eye and said, "You know son, whenever you first asked me if you could help me tonight I noticed something about you that I don't see in too many people these days. I knew that you weren't one of these punks who live off of everyone around them and was into drugs, but instead were doing something significant with your life and that you truly want to help people. When I was in the Boy Scouts It was back in 1953 when segregation was still at large. I had an all black troop and was not allowed to associate with the white troops. There were a few rich folks up in Hendersonville though that helped me out. They were white folks and treated me kindly. They didn't care about my skin color, but only who I was on the inside. They saw past my skin and in to me. That same kindness I see in you. I want you to tell your parents how proud I am of you. They did one find job raising you up and must be so honored to have you as a son."
The entire time this man was telling me this I kept on thinking of what Jesus taught about when you are invited to the party sit in the lowest seat so that you are not asked to move down, but instead are asked to move up. This is the revelation God showed me. That because of my willingness to submit to everyone around me and give my all He will reward me with honor. I hope that this blog has not sounded arrogant, as it has been very hard for me to accept. Jesus's love is all I need and Jesus's love is all I want!!!
