If big stuff happens I want to write it down but I want to talk about those whisper moments. The small stuff but where God is present. The reason I write this is because of an experience I had this pass Sunday. It was a busy day and I had a lot going on. Zen was in DC but I was keeping myself busy. I got up early and ran about 6 miles with a friend from church then came home and showered quickly. Then headed off to church for service and then church clean up day afterwards which we all stayed after to just give the church a good cleaning. Then in the evening I was going to meet up with a friend to go see a Flyers game which I was excited about since I don't get to go to many hockey games. However, I don't want to talk about those big events. Rather it is two short experiences during the day that stick out in my mind.
First of all I was heading to the train from the church to go meet up with my friend for the hockey game. As I was walking I was thinking about the future, job stuff, money and a lot of important things going on in my life at the moment. On my way I passed by a middle aged African American man holding a few tree branches. As I passed he said "Whats up with you". I continued to walk acting as if I didn't hear him because I wanted to get to the train and not be late. Then he said it again and began to follow behind me "Hey whats up man" in a kind voice. Realizing he was now following me I knew I had no choice but to acknowledge him. I was not fearful but more annoyed because in my mind I assumed this guy was going to ask for something. He introduced himself and told me people call him "country". I introduced myself and shook his hand. We started talking and he was asking me where I was from and I did the same. He shared that he was from Birmingham and came up to Philly with his mother but ended up getting married and it fell a part and now he was homeless (I am paraphrasing). So I asked him where do you lay your head. He mentioned a few places and said he usually can find something and that "God always provides for me". He continued to follow me to the train the remaining blocks. We stopped once on the way as he asked me to hold his tree branches so he could look at a speaker on the curb and a box of papers and electronics that someone was throwing out. I was running late and told him I needed to get going. So he said "well I will come back I want to finish our conversation." So he walked the rest of the way with me as we talked more about Philly and where we had both come from. Then we parted ways. He shook my hand and said it was nice to talk to me and then walked off not asking for a thing. The conversation was probably only 10 minutes long but I could not stop thinking about it.
Once I got on the train I replayed the conversation over and over again in my head. Wondering if I should have given him something or if I should have asked if I could pray for anything or invite him to church or whatever. I still don't know if I should have done more but reflecting more on it maybe God was wanting to speak to me through him and maybe Country just wanted to have a conversation with a person and feel like he had a friend instead of people ignoring him or always trying to get away from him because of his appearance. So who really knows why this interaction took place. I can't say with 100% certainty the reason but I know I walked away convicted because of the assumptions I made about him but also humbled and thankful that God put Country in my life for a brief moment to remind me to see God at work in the details and to trust him. In a moment of doubt you may never know who God will send across your path to remind you to trust Him for your needs and to be reassured that God is here and is working. God may just speak to you in a small whisper or even in a brief conversation with a homeless man from Birmingham.
Well due to the length of this entry I will save the second story for the next entry. Plus I am tired of typing.
