The breeze came in gusts, but the temperature was perfect. My after-work outing brought many unexpected and long chats with friends who happened to be homeless.
But oh, their hearts exploded with joy and, yes, even sadness. And the talks left me with memories that f e l t like a walk beside a small creek trickling with water.
One woman outside the shelter told me of her anniversary date, of how it’s been four years since she was baptized. And her joy at serving Christ was evident in her words. But she wept when telling me about her son in another town and prayed with me about her next steps and a job opening up. She also loved her new Bible.
Another man came up from behind me and pretty much landed on my back like a child, ready to give me a bear hug. His arms dangled around my neck, and his conversation was clearer than one might have expected. He was thrilled to see me, although, I’m afraid his choices before our encounter might mean he won’t remember our visit. But he might. I did give him a scripture card and he put it in his pocket.
Another man told of writing poetry for his daughter, the one he’s not seen in years. And another woman thanked God for her new apartment and that she moving into it in a week, while another young man was thrilled to have a new Bible too.
And then, I met a man who let me touch the scar on his neck. He said the scar came from a bullet during an altercation years ago. This man ran away from home at the age of thirteen, and now he’s looking for work again and is new in town. Through his travels and wandering, he’s seen the beauty of the county side in almost every state and nearly died in a snowstorm one winter.
This man shared a verse with me. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household, Acts 16:31.”
“That’s a great verse. So you’re a Christian?”
“Sure thing. I might be on the road more than you, but yes, I believe in Jesus.”
So it was a glorious evening, with a few new friends and some old, who happened to be outside. And it mattered not that some of the people had no home.
One man in a parking lot ran his fingers over the cover of his new Bible. “This is great. We should all have a bible. And we should read it.”
“You’re so right. I need to do better with that myself.”
My walk after work became a gentle reminder for me that friends make life so much better.
So if you’re still reading this, may we love others enough to stand beside them. May we care enough to take that walk. May we listen. May we sit. May we interact and chat and enjoy friendship with someone today. And may we trust Christ to call and save the lost, not only those on the street but in our community.
Christ can redeem lives when the breeze of hope flows freely and when the good news of Jesus is shared! So share a hug and gather with friends, and remember everyone does matter to our Lord. Even you. Even me. And even the man with the scar on the street.
