Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
I was just thinking about this while I was filling the gas tank earlier today. Of course I didn’t follow through with it at the time , but I thought to walk up to someone and tell them this story. I thought to do it to pass along what I have learned looking back at this memory all these years later. If only I would have listened to the hobo back then I would’ve been saved from a lot of hurt.
The story was many years ago, I’m 36 now so I would say at least ten years ago, which for me is many. I was at the gas station filling up and out of no where a man walked up to me. He was looking weathered and rough around the edges. It was one of those encounters that takes you by surprise and the details are not clearly remembered. I don’t remember the man asking for anything and I don’t clearly remember how he said it but the man tried to talk to me about Jesus Christ.
At this time in my life, I shrugged it off as a loonie off his meds spewing psychotic babble. I had it all in life back then, or so I thought. A good job, a house, a family, and all the opportunity to “live life to the fullest”. I didn’t need Jesus, my life couldn’t have gotten better, unless I found the fulfillment I was still looking for. I was certain it was behind the next purchase, trip, or sinful experience.
Of course, I shrugged the man off with an awkward laugh. I thought back then was that the Bible is solely the best selling book and if it helped people get through life easier, hey it’s good for them.
At the gas station earlier, I wanted to be that man. I still do but I’m working on the courage. Funny how that hobo is now almost a hero to me, to walk up to complete strangers and without fear say something that so easily can be misconstrued. All the while, the man was trying to help me realize that it’s true so I could believe and my soul would be saved.
Glory be to God that it wasn’t the last time He tried to reach me. I gave my life to Jesus Christ in September 2021 and now looking back at that time it was another time when He was trying to save me. That hobo was an angel that I disregarded. Next time someone tries to reach through to you and point you to Jesus, I pray you listen.
33 and a Third 