I am always amazed when God comes through in the most unlikely of ways and speaks a word to my heart. OK – really, it is more like God thumps me on the heart and says, “Do you get this, Alene?”
This past weekend I was having the most intriguing conversation with a man who had come to church and then afterwards shared with me a hand-written poem he had penned. The poem was unbelievable – totally God-inspired it seemed. After he bared his soul in this poem we began chatting about life in general.
I quickly learned he had only been in Corpus a few months. He had moved from Houston where he had lived and ministered on the streets. The God stories he told me were incredible. (Yes, I asked if he’d write those down too!) As he shared his life, I was so captivated by the peace he had.
I found myself asking, “Where are you living now?”
“Down the street under a mesquite tree,” he answered.
Inwardly I gasped,
I hope he didn’t hear it. I wanted to shout “No, you need a place to stay. Let me find you a place. Do you have food? Do you need anything? You are too special to be living out on the street!”
The peace that exuded this man was beyond words. How could he be so at peace when he was out on the streets? Didn’t he want a home? a job? a family? a hot shower? some nice clothes? transportation?
My mind and heart was racing with questions as our conversation ended.
Last night I returned to church for our weekly prayer night. During our hour together we had a time of quiet worship and prayer. The peace that fell on that building during that moment was, once again, unexplainable. My mind was quickly drawn back to my friend who lives down the street under a mesquite tree.
I wondered as I sat there in this unexplainable peace if this was the peace that this man experienced on the street. No phones, crazy and chaotic schedules or fancy gadgets to rule his life — just peace and quiet time alone with God.
I am so thankful that I was reminded of this peace that passes all understanding. This peace you and I crave won’t be found as we swiftly run through life from one chaotic moment to another. It will instead be found in the stillness and quiet of our hearts as we sit alone with God.
Thank you to my friend who lives down the street and under a mesquite tree!
To read the rest of this story and more of his poems, download the book Graffiti on Amazon Kindle.
He ( the man that lives under the tree) is where he is supposed to be just as …He is where He is supposed to be….everywhere.
This man shines with the light of God in the places God needs him to :)
It does tend to surprise us but I wonder why when we look back at the places God put His son.
A part of me wishes for that simple life…no computer, no mobile device, no Twitter, no blogging, no Facebook..just me and Jesus. Sometimes the e-world overwhelms everything else.
This is positively amazing Alene! I'm awed at where the Lord has put you and how He is using you to go beyond the boundaries that some of us have set up around our lives! Thank you so much for sharing this story!
God bless you!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
I'm so amazed by the uniqueness of God's design for each of His children. That peace the man has shows me that he is right where God wants him to be.
Thank you for a beautiful image of God's creativity and beauty!