David, a man after my own heart

I don't even know how to really begin this, so I'm just going to jump off the ledge and right into the mud puddle!  I've pondered and mused over a situation where I was blessed to be at the right moment at the right time.  Honestly, it was a "wonder, a marvel" and my brain and heart just won't let go, and I pray that it never does.  That it continues to mold me and change me to become more sensitive, and willing to even get dirtier.  Because for me, last Friday was one of those days where I was so filled with joy over who I have become and where God has me headed, I was so out of my little bitty box. 

My husband and I love people!  We are "people" people.  We love meeting new people, spending time with old friends and making new ones.  We both can sit for hours in an airport and simply sit and people watch.  My husband enjoys teasing me that I never meet a stranger.  By the time I leave an encounter I have their name, address, phone number and e-mail address.  I truly love connecting with people and their hearts. 

Friday morning at 6:00 a.m., my heart became so pliable that all I could do was smile and feel like I was sitting in church, watching an awesome sermon play out before my very eyes.  I firmly believe that God never intended for me to knock door to door passing out tracks.  What He intended for me is to LOVE people and to be kind, to forgive and not become a bitter sour person that is filled with jealousy, envy or even hate. 

Bill and I had made a date on Thursday evening that I would ride with him for coffee and then I would run 3 miles back home on Friday morning.  I'd only gone with him a couple of times in the 6 weeks we were at our second home and his coffee buddies are my friends as well.  Of course, I wanted to be sure and tell them goodbye and I would see them again in the spring.  As we walked across the street after parking our car there were two grocery carts with a mattress in each one and some other discarded items.  Bill went in for his cup of coffee while I had my water in hand and sat down at the picnic table to visit with Harold. 

Harold informed me that Bobby had showed up at 2:00 a.m. with his backpack and briefcase because he was in a tizzy over his car not starting.  You see Bobby is a Jehovah Witness preacher that was involved in a horrific car wreck that has left him with severe nerve damage and totally operates with a walker and quick short movements.  And every morning he unlocks their facility to help needy people.  There is a whole nother story here, but I'll save that perhaps for another time.  When Bobby showed up at 2:00 a.m., Harold told him that he would have to wait until somebody else came to be able to help him as he couldn't leave the Bakery unattended and he still had baking to do. 

Sometime just before 6:00 that morning, David, a homeless man came pushing one cart, while pulling the other with his head lamp on as he is a dumpster diver up to the bakery.  Probably all homeless people are dumpster divers, but you see I am from rural America where we honestly don't have these types of situations very often.  David and Bobby had never met, even though they live in the same town in Hawaii, until Friday morning. 

Harold asked David if he would take his battery charger and walk with Bobby to his apartment and see if he could get his car started while Harold would keep his eye on David's belongings.  Then we enter the picture and Harold shares with me that this is quite the scene, and I quote Harold: "The homeless helping the helpless".   Before to long up walks David with the charger and not far behind him is Bobby in his vehicle and both are smiling.  Guess where David sits?  You got it, right next to me!!  There are only four of us at the picnic table, so plenty of seats available and David sits beside me.  He was so polite, introducing himself and Harold gave him a pastry as well as cup of coffee.  David took his hat off, blessed his meal, and then began to eat.  I just about bawled!!!  I was so thankful that I had been kind to him, smiled, and conversed.  David is messed up in drugs, lives on the street, had TWO DOLLARS to his name, covered completely in sores and he TOUCHED MY HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

As I ran home those three miles, all I could think about was what could I do to help David.  Bill helps all kinds of people that he meets at the Bakery, including Bobby.  But I wanted to do something for David and I knew what God was laying on my heart.  Saturday morning I sent my offering with Bill and Harold will purchase a hot fresh meal for David the next couple of times he comes to the Bakery. As I ran my 7 miles before crawling on the airplane later that evening, I prayed that David would know that I loved him and I didn't judge him. And while I didn't take away his problems, I did let him know that he mattered to me and that I could and would provide a meal or two for him. 

Father God, You are amazing and awesome.  You continue to enlarge my territory, my heart, and yes my prayer list.  I pray that David is able to some how get off the streets and that he continues to have  a heart to serve and help others.  That our hearts would continue to grow and not become hard.  I ask You Lord that when David is able to have these hot meals, that he would remember me and see You in me.  Lord, please bless him and keep him.  I ask in Christ's Name, Amen.