“I have plans for you, plans to bring you and the future you
hope for." ~ Jeremiah 29:11
It was a grey day; grey drizzle
fell from the city’s grey sky. Grey
people hurried down the sidewalk under grey umbrellas.
Corinne decided to shake the “cobwebs” loose with a quick
run. Keeping it light, she tied her
house key to her show laces; nothing more. Soon she fell into rhythmic pace; all she
heard was her feet pounding the payment and the cadence of her breathing. Her mind cleared; she forgot everything else.
So engrossed in the dance between her feet and breath, Corinne
failed to notice two things: 1) a grey shap huddled against a tall grey
building and 2) shoe laces that had ‘untied’ themselves.
Retracing her steps, Corinne searched the sidewalk and the
grass. “Perfect timing” Corinne thought sarcastically. “Can’t find my key, no cell phone, and
daylight’s disappearing.” Worry began to
set in.
As she continued her search, ‘grey-shape’ painstakingly got
to his feet. Dressed in multiple layers
of rotted clothing, she could smell him coming long before he arrived. “Are you alright?” he asked in a way that
suggested it was okay to talk to him.
Corinne explained that she was looking for her house key. He pulled a flashlight from his bag of odds
and ends and handed it to her. “Here,” he offered kindly. “A bright light helps in the dark.” They searched for nearly an hour before she
found it between the grass and sidewalk.
“Thank you!” she said relieved and anxious to finish her run
. . . homeward. “But I have no reward to
offer you I’m afraid.” She would have
given him $50 if she’d had the cash on her.
Smiling he placed his hand on his heart and said sweetly,
“Young lady, many kind strangers have helped me before. I’m pleased to return the favor.” Tipping his scruffy chin, he lumbered off
into the darkness.
She’d never forget that man – the guy with no family and no
place to sleep who helped her get home that night. His patience and kindness touched her heart. He’d serve as a lifelong reminder to be
grateful; to never take the slightest thing for granted. She couldn’t have planned this man’s
arrival. It was perfect timing!
Losing her key would also remind her that we are not alone
in this world. Jesus gives us a
community, a family, and we belong to it and share in it. The more we are part of His family, which is
the Church, the stronger we are and the more we can live to change the world.
Lord, I rest on Your promise to deliver me and
from evil. I believe You will guide my
life in accordance to Your will, so that I may walk the blessed walk, for
myself and to live for You, so I can be an example to all of those around me. Amen
