Roger and Me

I challenged God today.

I was upset and angry and had to get away from the office. Take a walk.

I was doubting the very existence I was so mad.

I took a look at the trees and the grass and immediately took back what I had just said. This isn't by accident. I just needed a reminder I guess.

I walked over to the gas station to compose myself and get a drink. I noticed a homeless man carrying a box. We passed each other and I continued on into the store.

I bought a Powerade and a Sunkist. My two favorite drinks. I walked out trying my best to say "I trust you God. I trust you with my life" over and over and then I walked by the homeless man again.

He was sitting in a parking spot drawing on the cardboard. I immediately felt the stirring to give him one of my drinks.

I told God, "No, not this time. I worked hard for this money I just spend. I want this drink. Besides, not after what just happened to me."

I got about 15 steps past the man, when I said "FINE!" and turned around. I walked up to the man and said "You thirsty?" and handed him the Powerade.

He said, "You don't have to do this. I will be fine." I just said, "I felt like I needed to. God bless you." Then I turned to walk away. I was still mad.

Then I heard, "Hey!" I turned around and he said something I couldn't understand. Then he motioned for me to come over.

I walked over and he started talking about some things I couldn't really understand. He was covering all kinds of topics and then I noticed what he was drawing.

I asked him about it and he started explaining it. He had drawn a picture of the hand of God pointing down and a cross. He had all kinds of random messages written. He asked me to read it aloud.

I did.

He then asked me to read it again, but this time slow down and not to go in order. He explained that I was taught to read a certain way, but he made this to be read any way you want it read.

I read it aloud. I then turned to him and asked him if he was saved. He said, "Oh yes", and then pulled out all kinds of literature about knowing God and even a small study of the book of John.

He asked me again to read it aloud, to make it my own. I did. Suddenly my prayer from this morning came flooding back to me. "Lord, let your love be shown in my life today". I guess I didn't expect to be the one on the receiving end.

Then a song that I listened to on the way to work entered my mind and these are some of the lyrics:

He sleeps under stars, it’s all he can afford
His blanket’s an old coat he’s had since the war
He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He may be a drifter who’s grown old and gray
But what if it’s Jesus and I walk away
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

I walked away from that meeting with Roger feeling renewed and alive. I believe that was a meeting God desperately wanted me to have.

Thank you Roger.