Yesterday, on my lunch break, I traveled back over to Balboa Park, and along the way, I asked the Holy Spirit which way to walk. He took me down the path He had taken me down to meet Lee, my homeless friend with a southern drawl, so I was all excited to see him again. My plan was to invite him to our worship gathering that we’re having there today, but as I was walking, God changed my plan.   

Every day, I pass by many people and say hello, and sometimes, that hello falls on deaf ears, but more often than not, people at least say hello back or smile, but there are those times when a simple hello opens a huge door to stay and chat with someone. While I was on that path, one of my hellos opened that door and invited me to sit and spend my lunch hour with someone new.

As I passed by Charles, I said, “Hello,” and in return, he said, “Hello there!” His eyes were telling me to sit down and talk with him for a bit, so I did, and what an amazing time that was!

Three weeks ago, he moved here from Oakland. (You KNOW that made ME happy. Go Raiders!) He was looking to start a non-profit organization that helps kids in the “hood,” who grow up without a chance. He’s a black man who grew up in a white neighborhood, who talked with me about never fitting in with other black people because of his background. Throughout the years, he’s learned about these kids, given them opportunities that they would’ve never encountered, and shown them love, support, encouragement, value. Sounds like a “ministry,” right? Wrong. Because of a strong religious background, he’s backed away from God.

His family was (and still is) Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was raised in a lot of ways that he really doesn’t understand now. He taught me a lot about the religion. Some things I knew, but some things were new to me: like their view of the military; what happens “in the end;” different things in the corporate world, etc. He’s at this I-don’t-know state, so he’s chosen to just step back. It was very interesting.

I shared with him how I see Jesus, God, Holy Spirit. I gave him parts of my life and the redemption I live in. I showed him my flags, my wedding ring to God, my heart to Jesus, my yielding to the Holy Spirit. It was so nice to meet him, to get to know him. I invited him to the worship gathering that we’re having today in the park and to the ONE worship gatherings that happen every month. He said most of his friends have died, a lot of his family has died, and because of stepping away from the religion, the church doesn’t talk to him anymore, including family, so I invited him into our worship community. I hope he comes.

As I started back to work, the first thought that entered my mind was, “If so-and-so were here, something amazing would’ve happened.” What?! What a lie from the pit of hell. “I” was there, and something amazing DID happen. The enemy always tries to tempt me to compare myself with others, but I am done agreeing with him. I am standing on the Rock that I am unique, different on purpose, used by God to express His Love, and that NEVER looks the same in everyone. I’m glad we’re all individuals. If we weren’t, how boring would that be!