JUST STANDING ON THE CORNER

Haven’t we all used the phrase, I was minding my own business when……?

We lived in a large, metropolitan city in California for a time.  We were living in a condo that was at street level.  From there we saw all kinds of people from around the world pass by our little patio.   Some presumably had homes, but many we knew were homeless.

My body needs to have a walk every day.  At the time of this encounter we had only one car.     So, two or three times a day I would meander down the street a few blocks, and walk our dogs in the local park and around the city.

This day, I had just headed out our patio area and down the block to our mailbox, then onto the park for a casual stroll.  After I had cleared our mail box, I felt a strange feeling come over me.  It was as though I was being watched.    I was on a busy intersection at the time, so I wasn’t particularly concerned, but in turning around I saw an older man just standing there on the corner of the street and looking around.  

He seemed lost and attempting to get his bearings as to where he was.    It’s not my custom to talk to male strangers on the street, but a compelling interest in him came over me.  I took the plunge and said something like “Hello, are you looking for someone?”   He said no, but that he wasn’t sure where he was.   I had asked if he was new around this area as I hadn’t seen him before.  

Apparently that struck a chord in his mind.   Yes, he was very new to the area, and said he lived close by with his son.   To find out later, he was just across the street from where he was living when we had this brief encounter.

It was obvious that he needed someone to come along side and bring some direction as to where he was going or to where he needed to return.

There was a gentleness and sweetness about him that was magnetic.   I was on my way to the park and so I asked if he would enjoy taking a 20 minute walk with me.  He happily agreed and assured him that I would walk him home as well.   I learned he was 81 years young and he was just a delight.

I introduced him to what I thought was a new area to him, just two blocks from his apartment, but he firmly maintained that he had been to that park before. 

We strolled together with my two little dogs and proceeded back home.   We only had to cross the street once, where there were train tracks, trolley tracks and a traffic light.   It was a very busy and often congested intersection of the city.    To my amazement, he began crossing the street at the WRONG time, and against the light at the crosswalk.

It was at this point that I sensed I had encountered this man through God’s special purpose.  He was lost….in a number of ways…..and I’m thrilled that my presence was there to ‘find him.’   This situation at the lights confirmed the fact that this man was at a loss to know what to do at an intersection.  

We finally arrived at the front door of his apartment building.   This dear man had trouble with his apartment FOB because he had to swipe it in one area, and then proceed to the door before too much time elapsed so he could enter.   This was a struggle for him.    This became my first, of many, hands-on-instructions.

You won’t believe it…..but his apartment building was directly opposite to where my husband and I were living.

My heart went out to this man and I knew instinctively that this wouldn’t be my last interaction with him.   Before he successfully entered his apartment building, he inquired if I’d be out walking in the afternoon.   Well you can just about guess what happened.

I told him where I would meet him, not knowing if he would remember.  But no, he was right on time and at the right location.  We met just outside our little patio gate.    I went around to exit our building from a different spot to be safe, as I wasn’t sure if he should be aware of where I lived.

Goodness, a walk in the park is getting complicated, but God knew what He was up to in this man’s life and in mine as well.

I won’t embellish this true story, but every day, and twice a day we met outside our condo and walked.   Each time we walked, I found myself in “traffic class” with him showing him over and over and over what to look for on the crossing light and when to cross the street.   We even covered the stop, look and listen instructions.  

He was a marvelous student, and we’d review the instructions every time we came to any set of traffic lights.    He was quite proud of himself in all that he was comprehending at his personalized traffic school.

It wasn’t until I arrived home in our little condo that I realized I was invited by the Lord into this man’s life to provide much needed practical assistance.

After a few days of walking, I could sense his growing dependence upon me.   Inquiring minds need to know things that are helpful.  By now I have his cell phone number and the name of his son that he lives with.   He was generous and open with the information, and I was very grateful.  

As I thought about this new situation, it was certainly obvious to me that I needed to be in contact with his son.  In the event I was a topic of conversation between he and his son, I felt strongly that his son needed to meet me and be aware of our daily rendezvous at the park and why.    

In reading this, you can begin to see my plight.   I wanted to be of help, but I wanted him, and especially his son to know that I was happily married, and just a companion walker with his dad and for his dad.   Oh my, I so needed to set the stage so there were be no complications.

I phoned his son and introduced myself to him.   He had already heard a lot about me from his Dad.    Due to his mental capacities, I just wasn’t sure what was conveyed to this man’s son.   I explained how I met his Dad and what our daily routine was and why.   His son was very understanding and accommodating and agreed to meet me for a personal introduction on my patio.

The introduction went well, and he was fully aware and sensitive to where I was coming from.   I felt more comfortable now walking with his Dad, knowing about the details of his dad’s dementia.

Meeting with the son wasn’t my only agenda as I needed my husband to know the purpose of my new little friendship.  It was like a father-and-daughter walk.

To hear from this older man’s son, he was delighted to know that someone was walking and instructing his dad on the traffic patterns and about new places to walk and explore.

One particular day, in our walk together at the closest park, he shared with me about being separated from his dear wife.   She lived with their daughter on the other side of the United States and he was now living with his son.  They both needed care from their families, but it brought a new dimension to their marriage and they needed to be separated for a season.

Slowly my new friend began to trust me and open up about his life.  To make a long story short, I had the joy of introducing him to Jesus Christ and why He died for him.     I’ll never forget the moment, after sharing the gospel with him through many stories and illustrations, when I asked if he wanted to invite Jesus Christ into his life.

To my surprise and delight he said, “Yes.”   So right there sitting on a park bench, I led him in a prayer.  Ten minutes later, he didn’t remember it………………………..but……………….God takes us just as we are (in every way).    He may not have remembered what He said to God, but God remembered his conversation with Him. ….and that’s all that matters.

We enjoyed many months of walking together, having a sack lunch now and then sitting at park benches, with my two little dogs.

Then the sad day came when we moved to another State.   But the day before we moved, his wife had died.    On our last day together, he shared his sorrow with me.  My tender encounters with this man had ended, and needless-to-say, I will never know why God moved me away.   God knew best. 

After we moved away, I continued to phone him often so he would not be alone in his grief.   I wanted him to know that I was walking with him, but just at a distance.

God in his grace and love, and through the dementia, he was able to forget his pain and remember his wife, the love of his life, with fond memories.    Not too long ago I phoned him and he did not remember me.   But that’s not important…..because I will forever remember him.

GOD LOVES US AND TAKES US JUST AS WE ARE….WHEREVER WE ARE.   May we never forget that.