This morning I pulled into a parking spot in the lot outside Starbucks, and I saw an old man slowly getting out of his ancient Honda Civic. He was a bit stooped over as many old people get, and instantly I had a pang in my heart remembering my grandpa who had a similar walk. I half expected this man to shuffle over to me to give me a frail, yet loving hug, like my grandpa once used to do. But he just slowly walked past my car to some destination unknown to me. I almost wanted to get out and hold his arm to walk him across the parking lot just to make sure he was okay. I watched him and took note of his New Balance sneakers and yellow Reebok baseball cap. Everything is ten times more precious when worn by an old man. I instantly loved this man, although I didn't know him.
When I got in line once inside the Starbucks store, I noticed my new friend a few people in front of me, ordering his morning coffee. I tried to imagine his life--did he have a wife still, did he get coffee every morning, did he like to do the crossword puzzle in the newspaper, did he watch the news every night? Then I saw him smile at the cashier when she handed him his coffee. His smile was so simple and genuine. It was so apparent to me the goodness and inner joy in his heart. This was a good man. And old, slightly stooped, good-hearted man. Oh, I loved him. I had to look away because I was on the verge of tearing up. (It is pretty well known that I often tear up when I see really precious little kids. Apparently old people have also joined the ranks in the soft spot of my heart). His little smile made me happy, and I smiled to myself.
I waited a few more minutes to order and get my drink and the old man had since left with his coffee in hand. When I got into my car, I realized his car still parked near mine. He was sitting inside it. I was once again tearing up, and I was overwhelmed by a desire for this man to be blessed and have a wonderful day. I prayed for him to be blessed and to have a day filled with happiness and joy. My desire for this stranger to have a lovely day was so strong it was almost strange. Then I realized, God feels the exact same way about this man. It wasn't so strange after all. God loves this man, wants to bless him, and he wants joy and happiness to fill his days. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. God's great love! And yet another realization hit me: God feels the same way about me as well, and every single one of his children. My head knows that God desires good for me, but in this moment in the Starbucks parking lot, I felt it. I felt it in my heart and soul in an overwhelming way. It made that wonderful transition from head to heart. This old man that I wanted God to bless so abundantly, had just been used by God to bless me.
I hope that I can remember this man and the encounter I had with God that day on the days when I'm struggling to believe God for good in my life. May this be a man and a truth that I carry with me.
