“But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.” Luke 10:33
His name was Paul. So this is a great story but in the interest of transparency I probably don’t have all the details right but the heart of the story is pure gold. My daughter Sarah and her husband Blake were out and about in Harrisburg. I believe they weren’t driving but rather taking a walk. Wherever they were Blake saw a younger man sitting on a big brown travel bag near the road. Unlike most times, this guy wasn’t holding a sign–he was just sitting. It was apparent that his life was probably hard and his circumstances were harder still.
At first they walked on by but something began tugging at Blake’s heart so he said to Sarah, “Wait a minute.” With that, he turned back and approached the man. In a casual yet caring tone, he asked the guy,”Hey man, do you need some food or something?” The guy responded with a no and that he was good. So Blake asked him where he was going. The guy explained that he was walking the country. He apparently had started in the northeast and had wandered the highways and byways of the land. He had been down south and over toward Missouri and that is how he found his way to Illinois and Harrisburg.
Blake asked him why he was walking and he said he was dying and wanted to do something before he did. Blake again inquired about what was going on and the guy said he had a large blood clot up and near his lungs and it was eventually going to be fatal. Well, they chatted for a while more. He didn’t ask for anything but appreciated another guy who was willing to take the time to talk and care. After awhile they both stood up and without thinking, Blake gave the guy a man hug and told him that he loved him. Boom–it was so not planned. So spontaneous. So genuine.
Well, Blake, compelled to do something, went into the store and got the guy a bag of trail mix. He gave it to him and said, “Hey, if you’re going to be on the trail you ought to have some trail mix.” So with a shared smile they went their ways. And do you know what? I’m pretty sure neither of them were the same as they were. Blake for caring and daring to share three words that men usually don’t share–I love you. Paul because he experienced the love of not just a man but perhaps, just perhaps, the love of a man called Jesus.
You know, we never know when an opportunity just might show up. I know for Blake this wasn’t the only time. Last time it was a guy with no shoes named Danny and Blake spontaneously gave him his. This time he gave him a piece of his heart. Let me encourage you to do what Blake did. If you see something–do something. Dare to pause, to wait a minute and see if you can help make a difference. It might take you out of your comfort zone–a place that most of us don’t believe we can go. But remember this–our Dearest Daddy lives beyond the comfort zone and he will be there to help you. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 