I am so very pleased to report that the love of the Lord is working its way through others. It only takes one to start the wave. It only takes one with faith as small as a mustard seed to help open the pathway to others. And it only takes one to make a difference.
Mike, or how some are referring to him now as Mikey, has a few guardian angels. And it only took one Act of Random Kindness to help open the hearts of those that witnessed it. You remember Mike right? The homeless man from my previous entry. Well it appears that the hearts of my sister and her friend, who live next to Mike, have opened their hearts to him and their hearts are now filled with the mercy of Christ. Mike lives in the park next to their home, and they often see him there, doing nothing other than living. He has no job, appears to have no family, has next to nothing to him name, he just sits and looks at society going by. Everyday.
During their regular walk in the park, they acknowledged him while they went by. A small "hello", and a quick "nod" back were the newly open lines of communication. Mike was wrapped in a sleeping bag this time, under the concrete bridge. It's filled with mud, water and spiders down there, but I suppose it provides a wonderful shelter. I'm not sure though, as I wouldn't spend more than five minutes in there letting those spiders anywhere near me. We'll have to trust Mike and his choice for living arrangements on that one.
As the day went on, they realized that poor ole Mikey would probably never have anything to "look forward to", and that all his days and nights held the same thing, more or less. The nights are getting colder, the days are getting shorter. I wonder what this really means for him. Is it sheer terror knowing winter is coming? Is it horrific sounding to know that he might have to leave his home and retreat to a shelter? Maybe he wants to go to the shelter? Perhaps we'll never know what it means to him. However, for my sister and her friend, it meant sorrow on their hearts just thinking of it.
They decided to go to church that night (yay!) but before they went they stopped one more time in the park. This time it was to directly make contact with their neighbour. Approaching slowly, they called to him by name.
"Hey Mike. We're headed up to the sub shop, and thought you'd like one."
He responded a humble "no thank you" at first. But upon their persistence and statements of "it's no big deal", Mikey said okay to their offer. He also said he used to work at the Sub Shop. Weird isn't it. Now that makes you think, that at one point Mikey was part of us, part of our society. And certainly makes you wonder what happened. Why is he now without residence? Why is he out here cold, wet and hungry. Everyday.
It was a ham and cheese, no tomatoes, lettuce, onions, mushrooms.
When I contemplate this glorious encounter with Mike, the homeless guy, I once again am ashamed of our ignorance to our fellow humans. My first thought was.."as if he has favourite toppings for his sub?" And as I sit here now, reflecting on their story, I think, why wouldn't he have favourite toppings for his sub? I do. You do. What makes him any different? Gosh, I can despise my own thinking sometimes. Just goes to prove I've got much to learn from ole Mikey.
Good for you Mike, for holding the tomatoes.
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