Friday, October 17, 2014

I Met a Man Today


I met a man today. “Mam, could you spare fifty cents?” I hurried on to my car, somewhat angry that he had seen the ten dollar bill I was holding as I exited the dry cleaning store. As I slammed the car door, I looked behind me and the scraggly, stooped over man was nowhere to be seen.

Could it have been Jesus? An angel? How could the skinny man have disappeared so quickly?

I immediately felt remorse. No matter that as a woman alone in a parking lot I probably shouldn’t stop and talk with a strange man. No matter that he might have assaulted me, grabbed my purse while I rummaged through it, or abducted me. No amount of rationalization would comfort my tormented thoughts as I pulled out of the parking lot and drove down the road.

Tears formed in my eyes and crept down my cheeks. “I’m sorry, Jesus. Was that You? Was that a divine appointment for my day? What would You have done? Were You hungry and I refused to feed you, simply muttering, ‘No Sir’, and hurrying on my way? Please forgive me. I was angry, afraid.”

I met a man today then simply went on my way. But I will always wonder.


3 comments:

Linda Glaz said...

Not to worry, He will give you more opportunities! :)

Eileen Rife said...

So true, Linda. So true. :)

Eileen Rife said...

I revisited this post when I saw it pop up on my "stats" page. Sure enough, God has granted other opportunities, two within a day of each other. I responded with what I had at the time. A few days later, God surprised my husband and me with a hugs monetary gift.

Could it be related? I tend to think so. Humbled my heart since I gave so little, but what I had at the time, and God gave back so much.

Aging Gratefully

Waiting for the sun to rise while watching from the deck of our beach house.  Thick, hovering, dark abundant clouds with pale pink and yello...