By Justin Gray
I remember a time, shortly after moving to Nashville, that I was without a job. Slowing sipping from the puddle of my savings I began searching for new employment. One day, between my daily resume drop-offs, I stopped for lunch. Outside of McDonald's sat a man on the curb. His hair was disheveled, his clothes were ratty, and his face was smeared with dirt. Our eyes met as I approached the entrance.
I wanted to look away, just as I had many times before; but something was different.
He said he needed help. I asked him if he was hungry. He said yes.
I wanted to leave him with some food on my way out; but something was different.
I asked him to come inside. The cashier gawked at him as we placed our order. Then she said: "Will that be for here, or to go?"
I wanted to say "to go" and simply part ways in peace; but something was different.
I said "for here". The man from the curb gawked at me as I motioned to an open table. At this point, there was no turning back; eating in silence was not an option.
We talked and we ate. We both stood over the ruins of his life staring in disbelief. He wanted to start over. He wanted a job. He no longer wanted to sleep in the woods. I told him by the grace of God he could start over. I told him there was hope in Christ. We dumped our empty trays and walked out into the parking lot.
I felt that I had done enough; but something was different.
There was a consignment store in my periphery. I asked him to follow me. His eyes grew bigger as we approached the store. I invited him in. His eyes filled up with water, but didn't overflow their banks.
We walked the aisles and filled our basket. The cashier tried not to stare at him as she entered our total. We grabbed our bags and were once again in the parking lot.
He thanked me. I prayed for him and we parted ways.
That day I thought long and hard about my encounter with the man on the curb. Why couldn't I just look away? Why couldn't I just leave him food? What was so different this time?
Mercy.
I wept that night because I realized that every one of us is a man on a curb waiting for mercy.
Thank God that he did not pass by our desperation.
Luke 18:35-42
