Month: September 2018

“Which is your favorite?” the young woman asked me. I was standing in front of a display of whiskey in a local liquor store. I had seen her in my peripheral vision but now turned to look at her. “Was she old enough to be in here?” I thought but said with mature bravado, “I normally drink Black Velvet, it is a good Canadian whiskey. But if you are looking for something more upscale try Crown Royal.”

At this a big smile spread across her face and as she turned to face me, she said, “I knew you were a man of wisdom as soon as I saw you.” Now all my cynical bones started to scream. Why was this young woman coming on to me? And with that I just nodded my head, grabbed a bottle of Black Velvet and headed to the checkout. I heard some tinkling of bottles and knew she had also grabbed something and was now rushing to keep up with me. What did she want?

As I stood in the check-out line I could feel her right behind me and this was confirmed when I heard her say, “Did I say something to hurt your feelings, I was just trying to be friendly and ask your advice. Why did you run off like that?” I half turned and said, “I got a place to be, it is nothing against you, but I just need to be somewhere.” With that I turned and the customer ahead of me was leaving the check-out. “Good”, I thought, “I can get away from this.” And as I placed my bottle on the counter I heard her ask quietly from behind me, “Listen, can you buy this for me, I am broke and if I do not come home with a bottle for my old man, he will kill me.” Without speaking I signaled her to put her bottle on the counter and as the clerk rang both of them up, I was feeling relieve, it is worth the money to get rid of this girl. Passing him a twenty he gave me back my meager change and I told him to bag each bottle separate, I was out of there!

As I headed to my pick-up I could feel her close on my heels, swinging around, I said, “What do you want? I bought you the booze you needed, I told you I have a place I need to be. What more can I do for you?” As my voice raised I could see her cringe in fear, like I was going to hit her or something. Then she began to cry. Through the tears she said, “I am sorry, mister, I know you are busy but when I saw you in the liquor store I knew you would be someone I could trust, I don’t know why but I just did. I don’t want to impose on you anymore, but can I just ask for a ride, you can drop me off a block from my house. Tom is in an angry mood. I had to hitch my way here and find someway to buy his booze but if I don’t get it back to him soon…..” Her voice trailed off. I looked up to the sky and thought, “Why me, I was just minding my own business…. Why me?” Letting out a breath, I told her to hop in the truck and I would be sure she made it home. As she got in she said, “The reason I knew I could trust you is that you remind me of my dad.” I thought, “Great now I look like young girl’s dads, isn’t life swell?” We headed north on the highway.

Moments of kindness. Even when I was not walking with the Lord, He seemed to open my cynical heart to be kind when one of His children needed it. I can guarantee that I did not think of it in those terms back then. But the truth is that God can use a rusty tool as well as a shiny one and often does. I can see now that God did use me many times to help someone but once I understood why, it made a difference in how I approached acts of kindness.

The Apostle Paul said this, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) I know today that my acts of kindness are really Christ’s love for me that come not because of what I do, but what he does through me. Nothing I can do will compare with God on the cross. No kindness, no forgiveness come from me, just through me. It truly comes down to this, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) His kindness has become mine. Is that cool or what?

I drove Becky home or within a block or so from her house and we parked on a tree lined street in a run-down part of town. She sat with her head down and then turned to me with a sad smile, “Thanks, John. I got to get going, Tom will be in a state.” As she said this I knew I should have done something else, but I told myself I had done enough, “Don’t get involved!” As she closed the door on the pick-up I nodded to her and pulled away. Looking in my mirror I could see she was rushing toward a grey house with tall grass in the front yard.

I still think about her and wish I had been more courageous and I have wondered if she ever escaped from Tom. I prayed today for all the Becky’s of the world. And I also pray I will be open to any act of kindness the Lord puts in my path today. May you and I be open to show His love to one another.

Blessings John,
9/5/18

The traffic stretched for miles ahead. It seemed as though we had not moved more than a few feet in the last half hour. My company truck had no air conditioning and even though it was September, I was sweating. The radio blasted some oldies tune out of the 60’s but it did not help me deal with the building ‘road rage’ I was feeling. I really needed a drink.

I had been on the wagon for about three days now and thought I was doing pretty good. I had only sneaked a sip or two of whiskey from the bottle under my seat and a couple more from the bottle hidden in my garage. But as I sat in this never-ending traffic jam, I knew my will power was about done.

Reaching under my seat, I fumbled around but no bottle. What was going on? I know it was there last night. How could it be missing. Maybe I had inadvertently put it under the passenger seat, so I dug under there for a while. Nothing! Somebody had stolen my bottle. One of that crew of mine had the nerve to go in my truck and steal what did not belong to him.

The rage I already felt increased as I ran through every guy who was on the job today. Imagining how he would have done it. The anger built more and more, soon I was pounding on the steering wheel. Now it was time for revenge, I thought. And as the traffic crept along the 405 just north of Sepulveda Boulevard, I ran many scenarios through my mind. Man, someone was going to pay!

Within another 45 minutes the traffic finally started to move at a normal rush hour pace. I would be home in another 30 minutes, then I would start calling each one of those guys, I was sure I could pressure one of them into admitting their crime. I was relishing how miserable I would make that person’s life. Yes, revenge would be sweet.

Soon as I pulled in the driveway, I immediately headed to my office, not stopping to talk to my wife or even say hello. Digging out my company phonebook, I dialed the first number and as Hector answered, I said, “Did you steal the bottle of whiskey out of my truck?” There was a silence, then an indignant voice said, “What, are you crazy, man? Why would I steal your bottle? I ain’t desperate, I can buy my own booze. What is wrong with you?” I pressed harder, “So if you didn’t do it who did? You must have seen it! Almost frantic now, I screamed, “Tell me, who did it!” But all I heard was a dial tone. He had hung up! Swearing and cursing at the phone I slammed down the receiver.

Several calls went just like that. Some of my guys hung up like Hector. Others tried to reason with me, but my anger and vengeance was not to be appeased. After a while my wife came in and asked, “What is wrong with you?” But I just pushed past her and headed for the garage. I needed a drink.

Once in the garage I went to my hiding place, where I kept my bottle and to my surprise there were two bottles there. “What the ….?” I said mumbling to myself. Then I remembered I had hidden my truck bottle here so I would not drink during the day. No one had stolen my bottle. Hanging my head, I felt like a heel. It was going to be a long day tomorrow and I would be eating a lot of crow. My thought was have a drink, you are going to need it.

Paul was truly inspired when he wrote, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much depends on you, live peacefully with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” Says the Lord. (Romans 12: 17-19) In my time I have sought revenge and vengeance often and many times without good reason or provocation. And even now as I strive to walk the path of my Savior I find even the smallest slight can lead me back down that road.

Some would say, doesn’t the Bible itself have words that condone such feeling, look at the Book of Exodus, “But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot….” (Exodus 21: 23-24) But Jesus knew such teachings were being misunderstood and said this, “You have heard that it has been said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say unto you, do not resist one who does evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5: 38-39) If we are to be like Him who died for each of us, today is the day we learn to love even those who we perceive are doing us harm. And that can only be done by grace and the power of the Holy Spirit!

I did eat a lot of crow the next day, but not graciously or with any humility. I grumbled and found extra fault in everything of those who were teasing me. My bottle soon came up missing from under my seat and this time it was for real. A lesson I did not learn back then, was one I seek to know every day, “If I keep my eyes on Jesus no slight or provocation will cause me anger or the need for vengeance.” With prayer and surrender today this can be true in my life and yours.

Blessings John,
9/3/18