An experience with gentleness- behind the “shortbus”
Speed Limit:
45 mph
Current speed?
0 mph
Why? Because I’m sitting behind the short-bus. It has stopped every 35 feet along my entire route to Target. It’s riders slowly depart. Over and over.
As friends have strongly suggested that knitting while driving is probably not a good idea… I’m. just. waiting. Noah and I sing along to the radio. (I forget that the sunroof is open, and I’m giving quite a show to anyone around to hear)
In an attempt to maintain my “Oh so cool” reputation. (Yeah, right) I stop singing, and I start to watch. We roll 35 more feet and I see a tall hoodlum standing at the roadside. His head is shaved. His jeans are black with curious white patches. (G-unit- I’m sure but are they bleach speckled or what? Not sure…) His shirt sports a picture that I can’t describe here. I can (unfortunately) tell what brand of boxers he’s wearing. (That much of them is showing) His sparkling head is adorned with a “bluetooth” headset. He’s talking on the phone.
I assume he’s “working.” Whatever that means.
I wonder why on earth he’s standing at the curb.
The bus rolls to a gentle stop.
A sweet faced (and equally bald) young rider with a high-beam grin, departs the bus. His hands are raised, waving wildly. Like a lightening rod conducting his excitement, they conduct his joy at seeing the “hoodlum”. He shuffle steps to the edge of the first bus step. He nearly totters over from the weight of his overstuffed backpack. He is met at the step by the “hoodlum”.
The hoodlum gently reaches up and removes the backpack. He places it on his own strong back. He smiles with a warmth and love that is rare and full of joy. He takes the hand of the grinning boy- who is may be challenged, physically and cognitively but is clearly not challenged in the area of love. The hoodlum leads him home.
It is the most gentle act I have witnessed in…well, I don’t know how long. Hoodlum? I couldn’t have been more wrong.
It makes me wonder so many things:
I wonder if an outsider would have seen the same scene when Christ found me….and removed my backpack of sin, guilt, shame….all the crap I was carrying, and gently led my spiritually challenged self home…
I wonder when the last time was, that I was that gentle?
I wonder if I could be that gentle.
I wonder how many times I’ve misjudged based on appearances?
I wonder if I had seen a father and son? A friend? A caregiver?
I wonder at gentleness being strength under control.
I wonder at the gentleness of God.
I sit in wonder until a horn sounds behind me….
Jolted back to reality, I realize the short bus is gone… I’m blocking traffic.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things
there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful
nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us
keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and
envying each other.” Galatians 5:22-26
I think, I saw a glimpse of Jesus- from behind the shortbus. I want to be like the hoodlum. (Never thought I’d hear myself saying THAT!)
“Lord- I pray that you’d make me as gentle as the “hoodlum” I saw from behind the shortbus. I also pray that you’d bless them both for the love, joy and gentleness they showed me. I am constantly amazed at your gentleness God- and your patience with my challenges. Thank you God- for taking my backpack and leading me home. I love you Lord- amen.”
***Cross posted from my personal blog*****
Tracey,
Beautiful. Thank you so much.
Oh Yes!!! To be a “Hoodlum”!! What a wonderful moniker…
The thing is, we are all hoodlums compared to Jesus, and he loves us in spite of it!! Amen, Sister…a beautiful post!!!
Ouch! I needed that…
I love these lessons from Jesus.
That hoodlum could have been my son (minus the questionable t-shirt and boxers!!!). He has two tattoo’s, his ears are pierced, his hair is most often jet black (and sometimes is his natural red). I have seen people stare at him, have seen people turn away from him, have seen mothers take hold of their young children’s hands when they notice my son, have seen him rejected in various ways. If they only knew…he is an inner-city Youth for Christ leader…works for a mission organization that builds homes for the homeless in Mexico (as their IT geek), has held a friend as they lay dying in a car that had just gone off a cliff. If those judging my son could read Hebrew they would read the word “compassion” tattooed on his right lower calf. The other tat, on his left bicep reads “Forever With Me” and is in remembrance of his grandparents who recently passed.
Compassion…that young hoodlum, who loving cares for the youngster getting off the bus…God Bless him!
What a beautiful post, bless you.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder of how not to judge others. I admit, this is a sin that I struggle with.
Jenny
This was such a great post with allot of questions…..it’s really got me thinking!
Thanks for sharing it!
Blessings
Your post made me smile and think. It made me smile because I thought I was the only one who used the word hoodlum. But it made me really think about how often I may have misjudged one of those “hoodlums.”
Thanks for sharing
WoW! this was awesome. Thanks for sharing Tracey it really touched my heart!
Ouch. Once again, I am reminded of my greatest weakness – spiritual pride. Lord, help me.
Awesome post, Tracey!
After a very long day filled with struggling with ..oh… just daily life this was what I needed to be reminded of. Why do I always insist on carrying my own backpack? Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for this wonderful post. Never judge a person according to his/her appearance.
I have been couched away in a musty hospital room all week with my husband, so it is refreshing to get out and make my blog rounds again. You bless me. All you gals give so much at LAce with Grace. God bless you and thank you for pointing us to Him in every post.
You know – I think we do judge a lot by appearance. I know that I catch myself thinking things about people without even talking to them. Thank you for the reminder to look a little deeper.
Be blessed today and always.