His name was Bob. I do not remember having a class with him in high school. To be honest, I tried to keep my distance from him. Something told me Bob was heading down a path that I did not want to walk. Each of us has encountered someone like Bob in their lives. You know their name but generally do not even say hello when you meet them in the hallway.
A few years after high school, Bob showed up on my college campus riding in a decorated Volkswagen van with a bunch of Jesus Freaks led by Bulldog. Bob was a very different person. I was drawn to him when he told me his story.
When I ran into Bulldog,
Bob
began, he described how a real Christian acted. He asked me if I had ever met
one. Wes, I instantly thought of you.
When I told him I did not understand,
Bob revealed the three different groups of people. I sold drugs in high
school,
Bob explained. When I got them high, they called me Bob god. The
second group hated me. They never said anything nice and some even spit on me.
Wes, you were the only one in the
third group
he added. I knew you would never buy any drugs but you never
hesitated to talk to me or my friends. You were always nice to us and made it
clear where you stood.
I was absolutely stunned. I never realized I had treated Bob special. I knew who the friends were. We did have several conversations, but I passed it off as idle talk between classes. I never knew.
We talked several times over the
next couple of days. I even suggested getting in his van and joining the group
but Bob countered with a piece of wisdom I have never forgotten: Wes, you can
reach people who will never talk to me.
You are one of those and I thank you.
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus talks about how his followers should treat others. We are asked to feed the hungry and thirsty, welcome the stranger, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. I concede falling well short of what is described. Still, Bob saw some of these things in me all those years ago.
What do others see in you?
Grace and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit.
(J. Wesley McComb is a published author and a member of Christ Episcopal Church, 1534 7th St, Slidell, 643-4531.)
© by The Slidell Independent newspaper; originally published on July 23, 2009. Used by permission of publisher and author.