His death was brutal and a pain that I can’t even imagine. He gave his life for all of us.

A beautiful sunny day, the wind was blowing and the shade was the perfect spot. I tried to get him to open his window all day, he said he would melt. We laughed, but continued the day with the blinds closed. He got the wrap of a grumpy man, even called himself a curse word to describe himself. A “one and done” as some nurses call it. I saw beyond the walls he had put up, the humor he used to deflect and, beyond the grumpy man that was in front of me. Throughout the day, he laughed at me, with me, heck, even smiled at me once. Better believe I called him out on that smile. Eventually when I was exiting the room, he said “God bless you”. I couldn’t believe it, but yet again, I could. This man, labeled by many, had a kind heart. We continued the day together, knowing he’d leave without being released. I respected his choice to leave, and helped him outside. Once we made it outside, he laughed and said “You’re going to sit me right in the sun aren’t you?” I laughed and said “No, but this shade spot will do just fine.” I sat next to the wheelchair on the bench. We both took in the fresh air, enjoyed the breeze and began talking. We talked about lots of things, but ended up on drugs. I asked how it affords his drugs, he said he got them for free. He then said he would stop the drugs if only he had something to replace it with. My heart knew that was the perfect opening. I replied, “what about Jesus?” He smirked and said “Well since you opened that door..” I laughed and said “letsss gooo!” Then there it was, two people talking about God. He told me stories about how he had seen a pastors wife cheat on her husband. I replied by telling him that the only relationship that matters, is our relationship with God, no one else. That people will let us down 100% of the time, because we aren’t perfect. The only thing that matters, is our relationship with God. He began to cry. I got up, went back inside and came back out with a handful of tissues, he accepted quietly. We sat in silence, until he began talking again. He told me, how he felt like he’d find God again, but his “friends” would lead him back away. I chose to respond to that by saying that Jesus died for them too, even the friends that pull us away. I told him how he’s never alone and that God loves him no matter what. He said he believed God had a sense of humor and talked about many things he’s been through that have been extremely hard. He said he’s a man of little patience, but God made him be a caregiver; he mentioned a horrible accident that changed his life forever. I told him, God just wants you to lean on him in every situation. We pray for patience, so God throws us into the waiting and how there’s a song about that. We both smiled. Eventually, his ride pulled up and I helped him to the truck. I smiled and put my hand on his shoulder, and quietly said, “I hope the next time you see drugs, the holy spirit convicts you and you are able to say “no”.” He just smiled. I told him I’d be praying for him and I hope everything goes okay. He got in the truck, smiled at me, and was gone. I turned away, got the wheelchair, one last deep breath of fresh air and entered back inside the hospital. As I entered, I smiled and said to God, “Who’s next?”

It’s so easy to count people out. It’s easy to right them off for what they may appear. It’s easy to miss the soul inside the body. It’s easy to miss the kindness hiding behind the rudeness. It’s easy to forget the person behind the number. It’s easy to forget the bigger picture.

Jesus died for all of us. The doctor, the nurse, the housekeeper, the patient, the driver, the volunteers, the visitors. Every one of us, he gave his life for. He loves us all, and we are all called to love. The true love, a love that does not judge first, but extends kindness and grace.

That bench conversation was just two people, living in a broken world, both dealing with very different life situations and our own problems, talking about Jesus.

God, thank you for today and your presence. Thank you for your guidance and the strength to say “yes” when you nudge me to speak up about you. I pray for that man, and that you bless him and let him know you’re always there. God, I pray for those reading this, to feel you, to know you, to realize the importance of listening to your spirit and following its lead. Let us hear you, say yes, and share the love of Christ with others. Let us be disciples and reap the harvest for Heavens gain. I pray strongholds break, fear leaves, and devils flee. Amen.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mat 28:19-20

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for loves comes from God.” 1 John 4:7

I will wake, every day, and ask God, “Who’s next?”

xoxo,

Kiersten