After working out and before Church, I decided to get a quick bite to eat. So I stop off at Chuy’s Restaurant, the local favorite here in Simi. There’s a live metal/rock band setting up for the night, it’s 80 degree’s outside, people in Hawaiin shirts, and you can just feel summer in the air. I sit at the bar and order a drink and some food. I sit in between two older men, probably in their 70’s. I watch the Angel’s game on the flat screen above the bar, and scarf down some good ‘ol American tacos.
I open up conversation with the man next to me. He looks a little like Vin Scully, the announcer for the Dodgers, a gentle but hardworking old school kind of guy. “Digger” he says. “That’s my name. That’s my grandfather’s name, father’s name, and that was my brother’s name. ” He’s lived in Simi Valley for 40 years, but is an okie at heart, born and raised. I tell him about the World Race, their home base in Georgia (relating to the south), and it gets him interested. He said he’s proud of me and all the young people doing nice things in the world. We share a little ‘bit about his wife who has been passed on for some years now and about my pops who is with her in heaven.
Then I look at my watch, I’ve gotta run. But before I go I look at Digger in the eye and tell him the God loves him, and he hasn’t forgotten him, and Jesus is with Him. In the middle of this restaurant, loud music, drinks, food, he starts to shed a tear. This even shocked me, even though I’ve seen countless tears shed. Just something about that moment. He wasn’t sad, he just seemed to be moved. It wasn’t me. It wasn’t just our conversation, I think he really did feel the presence of God, the truth of those words, and how his inner man needed to hear those words in that moment.
We gave each other a firm pad on the back and I left.
A great reminder for me, missions is simply being open and available to whomever, and wherever I’m at. ‘Cause look what God can do.
It was nice to meet you, Digger!
