Behind His Eyes...pt 2

The logic of people who have hard times astounds me. In most cases I find them much wiser than those who have not faced as much (probably from the lack of having to constantly assess the decisions they've made and situations they've been in and through).

This man went back to talking about the job he worked in catering, at a time when, things were good. "You know what I don't understand?" he said "I don't get how people can have so much money and the things they do with it. Check this homie. I did this party for an 11yr old girl. Her parents bought out the whole place. Had to drop at least a hunid thou on it. They were showing pictures of all the places she had been. Israel, Australia, Africa...She had pictures with pyramids. Hawaii, Europe. All these places she done been. SHE ONLY 11. I ain't neva been out the country. Bro! I was in a tuxedo, standing at a kiddy bar, servin shirley temples, juice and soda." He leaned back and gave me that 'can you believe that sh-' ...face. and then he continues...

 "And he was Jewish. Man they have it good. Have you ever known a poor Jewish person? I mean right now today, do you know any?" And then he waited for my response. Now I don't know any poor Jewish people, not poor like I've seen or would consider poor anyway. My Bible and history knowledge would kick in at this moment filtering through all that God's people have encountered since the calling of Abraham and the beginning of Israel, ancient Israel that is. And so I just shrugged and shook, "no". Which he commenced to continue, now that my answer satisfied his train of thought.

 "... That right. Because their God's people. God said he was always gone take care of them...Man! What I wouldn't give to be one of His people. They not gonna live like this. That's crazy. And after all they done been through, can you believe it. God chose a stiff necked people to be his. To take care of and never turn his back on." WHOA! Is all I could think. Did he just really say that. What a theology of love and grace! And I'm pretty sure he didn't intend to make such a profound and plain statement, truth. But still he continued, not knowing that in the moment all my attention peeked.

 "A stiff necked people is what the Bible says. Man, they gotta good. And for some reason they got the money too. Man I wish God would bless me like that. I could do so much good with that. But that's the difference, they take care of theirs but we don't take care of ours. But that's how it should be done. If only God would bless me like that. I'd go buy a bunch of these vacant and condemned lots in our neighborhoods and start rebuildin', do somethin good for the community and give people some jobs. I'd call my peoples that are struggling and tell em, 'here's some work homie, Ima start you off at $11.50 here, so you can feed your family homie. And I'd go around and make sure to take care of my people you know..."

 At that moment my train had pulled up. I didn't want to go but I needed to get to work and was trying to figure how to end this conversation and move along without seeming disrespectful or awkward. So I nearly cut him off "I feel you brotha, I do. This is my train man." "Ah, oh, ok" he said. And as I stepped away I nodded in approval and with encouragement and patted over my heart twice.

 He returned the gesture and kept walking on. The train pulled off just as I was sitting and I half fell into my seat. I watched him approach another person as the train pulled off and all I could think to myself was "a stiff necked people."

 That whole time I hadn't mentioned one word about Jesus, even though it would seem that it was the perfect setting and opportunity for witnessing. But I don't feel bad about that, naw. God's word or plan in this man's life cannot be hindered by anyone or anything. What did happen though, is that I was able to see and hear this man very clearly. Some real life struggle, desire, and the logic behind his rationalizing. But whatever is truth or lie about his situation is really trivial in this case. The most important thing for me was that I saw a deep longing to belong to and be blessed of God. No matter how much he knew of the Bible (I do not know), but whatever it is in life he desires, deep down I know that it's a longing for a God who can give him peace. and that's what I seen, Behind His Eyes... something we all long for.

(since I've seen him three time. same story at all different times of the day or night. And whether I believe it at this point or not does not matter. I gave every time I had, simply because I hope one day he realizes that in the midst of his present situation. God has been blessing him.)