A Slower Pace

Yesterday was my weekly day to volunteer serving breakfast at Wayside Christian Mission. And for the last two weeks I have added a twist by bringing one of my kids to help serve. They are reluctant when I get them up at 5:00am so we can be down there by 6:00am but we have had a wonderful time serving Christ each time we’ve done it.

So yesterday, when my son and I were serving donuts, hash browns and cinnamon biscuits, a lady came across our line. She was more peppy than the average person that time of the morning. We exchanged niceties and as she began walking away with her full plate I commented that I liked her shirt — which had a picture of Jesus.

Now this can sometimes be challenging in this situation. Not because it is Jesus. But because many of the folks that frequent Wayside get their clothes secondhand or donated. And just because they are wearing a Cincinnati Bengals hat, or a Louisville Cardinals shirt, or a UK beanie, doesn’t necessarily mean they like or even follow the team. It might have just been a convenient or free item that fits their needs, but not their loyalties. But I digress.

After my comment, she looked me straight in the eye, broke into a smile, and said that we shared the same Savior. It was at that moment that she began to light up and we relocated further down the end of the line so we could chat. It was down near my son with the donuts so he heard the discussion.

She began with an introduction. Her name was Freeda. She said she attended Lampton Baptist Church. I shared my name and place of worship and then she started into some Scripture riddles. This caught me off guard but I was up for some interesting conversation so I went along.

Freeda: “Knock, knock”
Me: “Who’s there?”
Freeda: “Jesus”
Me: “Jesus who”
Freeda: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. — Revelation 3:20”

Freeda: “How many ways can you go on a one way street?”
Me: “One”
Freeda: “No. You can go two ways, but only one is the right way. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. — Matthew 7:13-14”

At that point with our eyes shining and sharing in the Spirit, I asked her what her story was. She said she had seizures and they detracted her from a normal way of life. My heart went out to her and I asked her if she needed anything. She said she was blessed and provided for. I told her that I was down there most Friday mornings and if she needed something I would be honored to be able to be used. She came around the end of the line by my son and gave me a hug. I responded by telling her that she made my day…..and it wasn’t even 8am yet. At that, she found a table and chair and proceeded to enjoy her breakfast.

I hope to see Freeda some Friday morning in the near future. If not, I just might have to make my way over to her place of worship to make sure she is doing well. What a bright and shining light she is for God…..and even more so when you consider her circumstances.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net