As we were nearing the end of our dinner, this man walks up to us and asks, "Do you know where can I get me some black eyed peas, corn bread, and kale greens for dinner around here? That's all I'm looking for". My husband and I both kind of looked at him with the side eye. First of all, uh...we don't eat black eyed peas, sir. Secondly, we aren't from Georgetown so we had no clue about any place locally that would prepare such a meal. Thirdly, because he had tattoos from head to toe, a leather biker outfit on, and a scruffy beard. (Secretly, I was thinking to myself that he assumed that's the type of meal we would be eating on New Year's Day...or any other day. What a stereotype!)
My husband explained to him that we were not from Georgetown, but he could probably go to Lexington and get such a meal. He said he didn't really have the desire to go to Lexington for various reasons; he was just in town on some repo business. As he was walking away he asked us, "You know the Lord loves you?" (My mind went to this - Well, chile, you just stepped into some very familiar territory with Team Lewis. Here we go!)
My husband's response, "Yes sir. We absolutely know it." My response, "Amen!" And, then it began, a common conversation about a common goal about a common God. Just like that - a stranger didn't seem so strange to us anymore.
He explained to us that he was a former youth pastor and a few people in the church didn't like his image - the tattoos and the biker outfit. He very clearly articulated to us that it is easier to reach kids who can relate to someone "who has been through something" yet can come out of it by the grace of God. He showed us a few of his tattoos, which included a cross, John 3:16, and a heart.
Before he exited the restaurant, he asked us if our daughter had a good Christmas, then he asked us if he could give her a little something to get something small for herself. He reached into his pocket and gave her $5. She thanked him. He wished us a Happy New Year and went on his way. He left us right there...at that table...in awesome wonder of God's ability to show us things about others...and about ourselves.
What a teachable moment and a wonderful lesson for the entire family to begin the new year!
1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
The Biker by Guillermo Forchino
P.S. We did give our daughter "the talk" about talking to strangers when your parents aren't around. There's teachable moments for everyone. ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment