It was a beautiful fall Saturday, a great day for raking and cleaning the yard in preparation for the snow to fly.
I borrowed a pick up truck from a friend to haul the leaves and the brush to the dump. His work location was fairly close to the landfill so he told me when I’m done to take the truck to his office and lock the keys in the truck and he’s use the spare key to open it the following Monday.
My wife was gone for several hours but told me she would be home in plenty of time to pick me up at my friend’s office.
I completed my yard work much sooner than I had anticipated. I left a note for my wife to come and pick me up in an hour.
I put an old blanket on top of the leaves and brush to keep it from flying out. I also brought along a push broom to clean out the truck when I was done.
The drive to the landfill and the dumping of the yard waste took about half an hour. It took about five minutes to drive to my friends place to drop off the truck.
Without thinking, I quickly locked the door, put the keys on the floor, and slammed it shut.
I now realized I would be waiting for my wife for forty to forty-five minutes if all went according to plan.
Unfortunately, nothing went according to plan starting with my wife not seeing the note. This was before cell phones so plan b was to simply walk the five miles home.
No problem. As I said before it was a beautiful day.
I grabbed my push broom and my blanket and headed towards town in my finest yard work attire; t-shirt with holes, torn jeans, and beat up old tennis shoes.
It wasn’t long before I became very aware that I was a target for ridicule, name-calling, and “fun” at the expense of someone appearing less fortunate.
“Hey, it’s broom boy,” shouted someone from his car.
“Nice blanket,” yelled another.
As I came up a small hill from a secluded railroad bridge someone actually stopped their car to say, “Hope you had a good night’s rest. It’s about time you got up. Now where are you headed? You should get a bike to go with your broom and your blanket!”
I must admit that prior to this incident in my life I would have looked at someone who looked like I did that day and thought some of those same thoughts. I don’t believe I would have ever said anything but that doesn’t make it any better.
Having been on the receiving end of the snide comments I now look at those who appear to be less fortunate through a different lens.
As I walked home that day I remember thinking, “These people have no idea what my story is. If only they knew.”
Everybody has a story. Do you have the courage to find out someone’s story rather than create a fictional account that probably isn’t anywhere near as interesting as the real one?
My challenge to you this week is to ask someone, “What’s your story?”
John 8:1-8
Have a STRONG and COURAGEOUS day!
