Humbled in the face by a man named Greg,
So the
Race has ended, goodbye’s are said and hugs are had. It is time to begin our
journey back in the states. Shortly after saying goodbye to my World Race colleagues
at the baggage claim in LAX, Craig and I jump the hotel shuttle back to the La
Quinta. As we set foot on bus and scuffled our way to our seats, a man welcomes
us with, “Welcome, would you like a paper towel?” (Craig and I glance at each
other thoroughly confused. With a quiet
giggle we politely turn down the gift, and take our seats.
“Where are you coming from?” The man asks.
“Where aren’t we coming from…” Craig and I look at each
other sharing a moment that can only be had after traveling the globe. Some
stories begin to unfold with our new found companion and 2 other ladies whom
sit quietly in the rear.
“I’m Greg”, he finally says as he extends a strong
handshake.
Right
off the bat I knew there was something different about Greg. He was a goofball,
no doubt about it. As the wheels on the bus rolled along the LA roads,
conversation continued as we shared stories of our year.
As we drew near to the La Quinta, Greg’s request for a photo
makes us all laugh.
“Can I take your picture… And, do you give hugs?”
I couldn’t hold back, I burst into laughter at the “do you
give hugs?” bit.
“Yes,
we would love to take a photo, and sure, we um.. We give hugs.” I reply.
The bus pulls up to the hotel and we all hop off. We get our
picture taken by Greg, and then awkwardly give this man in his mid 30’s a
strange, yet joyful hug. As Greg prepares to walk away, he looks at us, and in
a sad yet funny moment, holding back the tears, says with a choked up voice, “I
think I may just cry.”
And
with that, Greg turned and ran out the door, across 4 lanes of traffic, and
onto the walkway just opposite the hotel.
My
first reaction was to look at Craig and laugh, fortunately that moment was
interrupted before I could get that laugh out. The two ladies who had been on
the bus with us were also checking into the hotel. One of them turns, looks at
Craig and I, and says, “You boys just changed that mans day.”
That lady didn’t know the depths of
what she had just said, but I, well, I just got a swift slap in the face. After
11 months, a trip chasing after the heart of God, I have been around the world
teaching and preaching “love” and here I am 20 minutes back in the states and I
had already begun to judge this big goober named Greg. I wanted to laugh “at”
him, not with him.
The
words that lady had just spoken, were like a gut check right to my soul. The
race may be over, but the journey is just beginning. I needed to be humbled in
that moment. I needed a reminder of love and life “after” the race.
I can only thank her through
prayer, as the words she spoke will never be forgotten.
(Greg’s Photo from La Quinta LAX California)
