1000 Better Things

Today at lunch Ellen and I went to a nearby park. I really enjoyed our time together especially with the way my day started off (I’ll get to that shortly). We sat on the park bench eating our sandwich, chips, and fruit. It is kind of chilly out today, so the bright sun on our backs felt especially good.

While we sat there a homeless man walked up with his cart full of belongings and settled in at a bench nearby. I looked over and waved at him, wanting him to know that we appreciated his presence. He walked over and was grumbling about the way some people in our city had treated him, saying, “You sure do have a bunch of faggots here . . .” He is new to Abilene from Hollywood. Very curious who and what he might be talking about and a bit nervous because he was clearly disgruntled, I peered up at him from our bench. He explained that he was not going to “stress these rich folk” that are trying to push him around; instead he would just push back. After getting that off his chest he moseyed back over to his bench for a cigarette. Short of words, I just listened and looked at him sympathetically. As he walked away I thought of all the things I wished I would have been prepared to share with him. Moments later he left the park. With a wave from his cigarette hand, he signaled goodbye to us.

After he left I recognized how similar our day must have begun. I was rattled this morning by some discouraging words from someone I am acquainted with. I will say no more than that because I do not wish to bring any further discouragement upon myself, so let your imagination go. I can however say that there were a 1000 better things my acquaintance could have shared with me today.

As my friend in the park walked away this afternoon, I wished I would have had the presence of mind to share with him this one thing, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).

It was what I needed to hear this morning.