I had borrowed my sister's car to run over to the grocery store to pick up a few last minute things. For what, I do not remember. All I really remember is she was in a rush to go some place else.
I pulled in the parking lot as usual. Kind of a 'need for speed' like fashion. (if you're a gamer you will know what I mean)
I saw the man sitting there. I tried to disregard him, and I heard his cry for some money but still I just kept on going through the doors. I just didn't have the time to give him and my initial thoughts were "Really, if I do give him money what will he use it for?"
The thing is if you ever pray "Lord, give me your thoughts and your heart" he will. Which at times will be the most inconvient times for you.
Walking up and down the aisles picking up all the items I needed before leaving. You could say the spirit was tugging at my heart. Ignoring the tug throughout the store, through the check out and to passing him once again and sitting in the car.
I sat there for a moment. Knowing I could not leave. That if I left, I had just rejected God's heart. Which wouldn't you know it included me speaking to that man.
So I said "okay I get your point, I'll go give him money". I want to say that I was gracious and humble in that, but I cannot be certain that it was.
I got out of the car and walked back towards the man and gave him some money. It's a funny thing as I walked and looked at the man I felt love for him. As I looked at him, the first thing I noticed was how blue his eyes were.
When I handed him the money he asked if I could wait a moment. In my head, I thought "Oh Lord, Jenn will not be happy with me for taking so long", but I said yes. The man got up and walked into the store. About two minutes later he came out with some cut up watermelon in his hands. He held it before me and said "Have some."
He was really dirty. From head to toe covered in dirt, and smelled worse than garbage. That didn't matter though. What mattered now was loving the man. Even if that mean't sitting next to him and eating watermelon.
He began to share his story with me and I shared with him my story and God's story. I learned about his past, about how he became homeless, where he layed his head at night, how far he would walk for food, and how he used to go to church until he was told he was too dirty to go. So he stopped going because a man who claimed to represent Jesus said he was worthless. Maybe without using that exact word, but it left him scarred.
After three hours of talking with him, and knowing I was going to be one dead girl when I got home, he let me pray with him. He let me pray about change, blessing and his future.
That happened about three years ago. From time to time I think of him and pray for him, and since then I have seen him at least once per year. He always remembers me, which brings always gives me joy.
The last time I saw him was about a week before I came on the race. I was meeting a friend at Starbucks for the last time before I left and he walked in. I had just finished ordering and he looked at me and said "Michelle"
I began to smile, because he remembered me. Every time he remembered me.
He said to me "Guess what?"
Where I replied "What?"
Then he began to smile and said "I have a job now, and a place to live. It's not a big place but it's a home."
Three years and I haven't forgotten him and three years of prayer for a man I met one afternoon. Prayers were answered.
Three years later and love that was given that day was never forgotten. A love that whispered to me to go. That let me love the man that desparately needed it.
Richard will not be forgotten.
I had borrowed my sister's car to run over to the grocery store to pick up a few last minute things. For what, I do not remember. All I really remember is she was in a rush to go some place else.
I pulled in the parking lot as usual. Kind of a 'need for speed' like fashion. (if you're a gamer you will know what I mean)
I saw the man sitting there. I tried to disregard him, and I heard his cry for some money but still I just kept on going through the doors. I just didn't have the time to give him and my initial thoughts were "Really, if I do give him money what will he use it for?"
The thing is if you ever pray "Lord, give me your thoughts and your heart" he will. Which at times will be the most inconvient times for you.
Walking up and down the aisles picking up all the items I needed before leaving. You could say the spirit was tugging at my heart. Ignoring the tug throughout the store, through the check out and to passing him once again and sitting in the car.
I sat there for a moment. Knowing I could not leave. That if I left, I had just rejected God's heart. Which wouldn't you know it included me speaking to that man.
So I said "okay I get your point, I'll go give him money". I want to say that I was gracious and humble in that, but I cannot be certain that it was.
I got out of the car and walked back towards the man and gave him some money. It's a funny thing as I walked and looked at the man I felt love for him. As I looked at him, the first thing I noticed was how blue his eyes were.
When I handed him the money he asked if I could wait a moment. In my head, I thought "Oh Lord, Jenn will not be happy with me for taking so long", but I said yes. The man got up and walked into the store.
About two minutes later he came out with some cut up watermelon in his hands. He held it before me and said "Have some."
He was really dirty. From head to toe covered in dirt, and smelled worse than garbage. That didn't matter though. What mattered now was loving the man. Even if that mean't sitting next to him and eating watermelon.
He began to share his story with me and I shared with him my story and God's story. I learned about his past, about how he became homeless, where he layed his head at night, how far he would walk for food, and how he used to go to church until he was told he was too dirty to go. So he stopped going because a man who claimed to represent Jesus said he was worthless. Maybe without using that exact word, but it left him scarred.
After three hours of talking with him, and knowing I was going to be one dead girl when I got home, he let me pray with him. He let me pray about change, blessing and his future.
That happened about three years ago. From time to time I think of him and pray for him, and since then I have seen him at least once per year. He always remembers me, which brings always gives me joy.
The last time I saw him was about a week before I came on the race. I was meeting a friend at Starbucks for the last time before I left and he walked in. I had just finished ordering and he looked at me and said "Michelle"
I began to smile, because he remembered me. Every time he remembered me.
He said to me "Guess what?"
Where I replied "What?"
Then he began to smile and said "I have a job now, and a place to live. It's not a big place but it's a home."
Three years and I haven't forgotten him and three years of prayer for a man I met one afternoon. Prayers were answered.
Three years later and love that was given that day was never forgotten. A love that whispered to me to go. That let me love the man that desparately needed it.
Richard will not be forgotten.
