Days Of Future Past

Go Ahead, Make My Day

Doing something nice doesn't have to cost a thing. What may be a trivial act to you could mean a great deal to someone else.

I had just returned to the apartment from the Sunday morning service at Riverside Community Church (RCC). I had parted company with Sis Ellie and Jessica. They each had their own engagements respectively; one with friends, the other with family.

Left alone for the rest of the day with no lunch and nothing good on TV, I decided to take Matt's jeep out and have a burger for lunch at King's Family Restautant, and then pay 6 bucks for "A Million Dollar Baby".

I screamed along in the 4X4 headed for my destination which was about 20 minutes away. Well, the muffler was noisy and the wind was perforating in under the canvas hooded top. I had to scream to be heard. Fortunately I was alone.

The sun was out while winter had snugly set itself in; roads were empty as snow filled and piled up alongside; water flowed and dripped only to be frozen by the winter chill into large armour piercing stakes of icicles suspended menacingly but firmly along the edges of cliffs. These could be fired as missiles just by the mere size of them. Impractical though, as at most you'll get hit in the eyes by water droplets as these projectiles race across the atmosphere melting along the way.

Man! Do I love driving!

I pulled into the lot, clambered out of my warm shell, shuddered at the sudden change in temperature, and heaved a warm breath of vapour into the air. FUN! Warm vapour spewed from my nostrils for the brief moments that followed, rendering my imagination into a firebreathing Dragon as I trudged along the next few steps in the cold headed towards the restaurant entrance.

"Table for one, non smoking please. Thank You"

"Ok, I'll enjoy my Classic King Burger like I always did and then I'll go see me "Million Dollar Baby". I'll make sure I pay 6 buckaroos instead of 8.50."

That was the plan. I was led to an empty seat. The waiter set the table right, and I was about to sit my precious bottom down when I heard a voice speak. "I'm sorry, I'm already seated here. I just left for the restroom."

God? Nah! It was an elderly white-haired man dressed in a smart black suit with an American flag shaped lapel pin secured to the upper left side of his coat pocket. "However, you are most welcome to sit with me and join me for lunch. I certainly don't mind if you don't."

"Sure!" was my instant reply. Actually, it took me about 3 seconds. Not that instantaneously instant. My eyes widened, my lips curled into a warm smile and my mind went "Wow, how nice! Why not?". All within that 3 second span.

John Myers was his name. And his game? You'll find out soon enough.

A really nice conversation ensued and lasted the course of my burger and Mr. Myers's 'usual'. I had my hot pot of tea, and he had his cups of coffee. We learned so much about each other. We both prayed, and we both spoke values into each other, quoting scriptures and affirming each other. I told him my history of how I ended up here in Oakmont, and my vision for the future. He told me how he got here; about his family and children, and how he spends time as a retiree.

"Make sure you mention John Myers to Pastor Bill (Bill Ellis, my pastor in RCC). He's a really neat guy. He'll remember me." That was how we ended our conversation. "It was really a blessing to have had lunch with you. I thoroughly enjoyed your company. I'll be praying for you, and your family's salvation. You have an honourable vision, and you have my prayers." That was before we parted ways.

I said my goodbyes and gave him my heartfelt grattitude. I could tell from his last sentences that as much as I was touched by an angel, John Myers was equally blessed as well.

I found out later from Pastor Bill that John Myers is actually a retired Presbyterian Pastor.

God knew that I was searching, and I needed prayers. All through January, God changed my life by sending Pastor Bill Ellis, Ron Hembree (President of CTVN), Norma Bixler (72 yrs old, and founder of CTVN), Tim Burgan (VP of CTVN), Steve Totin (head of Prisions Ministry in CTVN), and many others in CTVN my way to guide me, speak values into my life, pray and to encourage me. All of whom hardly knew me, let alone know of my desires and vision.

And God arranged for Mr. Myers and I to meet on one particular day when I felt alone.

God spoke to me the only way He knew I would respond to His calling in my life best - through Godly counsel speaking the eternal promises of His word.

A lunch with a stranger. I never thought it would happen. Too Hollywood you think? Maybe. That was what I thought. But now, I am inspired to do the same. Inviting someone who happens to be having lunch alone at the next table to sit with me. Who knows what that person might have gone through prior to lunch time. Who knows, maybe that person needed to feel valued and appreciated just to get through the rest of the day?

As surely as Jesus is with us in our lives, He is with us in every single aspect of our lives, even deciding to choose to eat a meal with a stranger.

Does doing something nice have to cost a thing? Speaking Godly values into the lives of others most certainly don't. Praying for others most certainly don't.

Hold the door just a second longer for another to enter. Wave for the person ahead of you to go before you. Smile and say "How ya DOH'ng?" with people who serve you, the people work with you, and your friends. Life is stressful enough; a little kindness goes a long way towards easing things up.

I doubt any of those would be going out of one's way to render service. But to me, my lunch with a stranger, it was. I felt God's love for me. Bless others with God's love too. "As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man" Pro 27:19.

I saw my "Million Dollar Baby" that afternoon.

posted by HanQiang @ 1:24 am