“Get a clue.”
“That’s right, maybe you didn’t hear me. This is God. I’m trying to help you, pay attention.”
Been here before? Been here recently? Hi, I’m Kenneth. I’m working on paying more attention and I thought I’d share an interesting little story about a guy who may never get the chance to see this story. He may never see the Internet. He may not ever see me again. I may never see him again. The man I’m writing about is homeless. I don’t even know his name. But God put him in my way on purpose. I’m just glad I saw it this time. I almost missed it.
I noticed my tires getting a little low and pulled into QuikTrip to fill up with more air. As I approched the air pump, I noticed a man sitting beneath a tree about 10 feet from where I needed to park to fill up. As I approached in my car, he stood and grabbed for the airhose, pausing only for a moment to make sure I stopped before he stepped in front of my car to fill up one of my front tires. I met his expressionless gaze with a haphazard smile as I double-checked that my ‘personal safety tools’ were nearby and accessible. I wonder what this guy wants.
I parked the car and opened the door cautiously as the man started filling the front left tire. He was smoking a cigarette and was missing several teeth on his bottom jaw. He hasn’t shaven in several days, if not weeks and I don’t believe he owned a comb. I did my best to remain human and simply talk to him. I said, “Hi.” That was a big first step. I had to break the ice. We made small talk as he asked me how much pressure to put in the tire. I began to get the impression from our short conversation that he either loved cars or may have previously been a mechanic. “Check it.” He said. I placed the gauge on the tire and found that he hit the mark exactly as we decided. 44 psi exactly. Nice. We repeated the process for the front right tire. “Check it.” He said. I placed the gauge on the other tire and found that he hit the mark exactly once again. 44 psi.
Now, this is where it gets tricky. I know from my upbringing and my relationship with God that I should be constantly telling others about Him. But, I’m human. I fail. A lot. But not today. Today (actually last Saturday) I decided that I would be courageous and not be ashamed of the God who has set me free. “Do you have a church home anywhere?” I asked. Seriously, a homeless guy with a church home? I doubt it, but I felt like the question needed to be asked. Not for my sake, but His. The man pointed to his heart. “I have him right here.”
Burn. A man who at a glance seems to have more faith than I, and who would fool anyone into thinking the worst up front. This whole time I’m thinking he wants money…but God just wanted me to see how selfish I am for keeping God to myself.
We talked for a couple minutes more and began to part ways. I shook his dirty hand, not concerned anymore for my safety but for my heart. But God isn’t done yet. As I put the car in reverse and start to roll backward, the man does an about face and comes back to the car, knocking on the passenger-side window. Now this is the part where he asks for money… No—wrong again. He stated clearly and simply, with a smile, “Thank you for mentioning Christ.”
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
