The Greyhound rolled down I-5 in central California, I was in a window seat near the middle of the bus. Looking at my watch and knowing this road so well, I knew we should be in Stockton within 15 minutes. I tried once again to figure my ETA to the sleepy town of Corning miles still north. It still came out to be about 2:00 am taking in the more than an hour layover in Sacramento. Great! Nothing like a bus ride to cheer a guy up!
As I leaned back in my less than comfortable seat and did my best to fold my long legs under the seat in front of me. Maybe it was time for a nip off the whiskey I had mixed into a coke I had bought while waiting for the bus to arrive in Tracy, CA. Buying the soda, I had slipped behind the gas station where we were waiting. There I had poured out about half the 16 ounces and replaced it with the half pint of Black Velvet purchased earlier. No bus ride was endurable if I was going to have to be sober.
Taking a large swig, I was replacing the cap when the guy next to me said in a low tone, “Is that Canadian whiskey you got mixed up there?” I shrugged and nodded an affirmative without saying anything. He shook his head, “I favored that myself! For years I could never get enough.” Not knowing how to answer that I held the bottle out to him, but he waved it off. “No, not anymore. I haven’t touched a drop in 20 years. But I still know the smell of it.”
I braced myself for what I was sure was coming next, him regaling me with the evils of drink and how he overcame it.
It didn’t come. Instead he just asked me where I was headed. Relieved about the change in subject, I told him the where and whys of it, “I am heading to Corning up north, to pick up my Blazer, the transmission went out on it a few weeks ago leaving me stranded. Luckily I was able to get myself home to Tracy. Now I need to pick the car up from the dealer who repaired it as soon as they open tomorrow morning.” He seemed content with that answer and leaned back into his seat.
I felt it would be polite to ask him where he was headed and did so. He was silent for a while than leaned closer and said, “I am heading to my daughter’s place in Redding. You see, I be stayin’ there for a while.” With this he stopped and seemed to shudder a bit. Continuing with a slight tremor in his voice, “My grandson, he, well no easy way to say it. He took his own life a couple days ago. O.D. ed, as they say. My daughter’s only child and my only grandson….” His voice trailed off.
I was shook by what he said but could not think of what to say in return and mumbled, “I’m sorry.” And wanted to leave it at that. But in a moment, he brightened and said, “What’s your name, son?” I told him, and he replied with his, Samuel. He also told me he was a retired pastor. Again, I worried a sermon was about to follow but again I was surprised. He just smiled at me and reached his big hand across to me and said, “So good to meet you, brother John!” With such cheeriness and what seemed like genuine glee, I could only reply in kind, “As it is to meet you, Samuel! Or should I call you reverent or something like that?”
With this he let out a laugh and said, “No, son, no. I am just plain old Samuel. Just another child of God, same as you.” And as we pulled into Stockton, I found myself feeling safe and comfortable next to this man. And I thought, “How does he do it? I know grief must be ripping at him but still express such…” Stopping to think, only one word filled my mind, “Love. In the midst of sadness, he was showing me love. How does he do it?”
Have you ever met anyone like Samuel? Someone who can tell you their world is being ripped apart yet seem to still be held together by something very deep in them. If you have then I am sure you have just met a true Christian, someone who has allowed Christ to dwell in him or her.
When we look at the life of Christ in any one of the four Gospels this is what stands out more than anything. Jesus was able to love those around him no matter what was going on in His life. Including as he headed to the cross. Jesus’ focus was never self-centered, it was other centered!
Jesus gave this command, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your mind and with all your strength. Second, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12: 30-31) And the thing is if you can do the first, love God with everything you are, the second will become the most natural thing. It is pretty amazing and very other centered. I am not there yet but by the grace of God it is what I strive for every day.
Samuel and I rode together all the way to Corning. We talked about things I had not spoken to anyone about in years. We did talk about my addictions and I was not afraid to tell him my fears. Never once did I think of trying to relieve his pain by allowing him to express what must have been in his heart over the loss of his grandson. As I got up to leave him at 2:00 am, he smiled and said, “You have been a blessing to me, John. God sent you to sit next to me.” I was embarrassed and confused. But he saw my embarrassment and said, “You are loved, if you know it or not.” Then shook my hand and sent me on my way. I now know God sent him to sit next to me and I pray today that I may love others in such an unselfish way. Thank you, brother Samuel. May we meet in His kingdom, I know you will be there and so will I, partly thanks to you!
Blessings John,
9/10/18
