A Garbage Man and a Gentleman
It was just another day in the ‘burbs….. and I was just another bigot. Funny thing, until then, I didn’t even know it.
It was late in the afternoon, a few years back. I stopped to pump gas on the corner of a somewhat “risky” spot. It’s not a very nice corridor— just a couple of miles from motels rentable by week- day or hour. And a few “gentleman’s clubs” Yeah- that kind of spot.
I needed gas. I had to stop. Stranded without gas, here, would be a lot worse than stopping at a gas station. I reasoned.
I stood outside my car, the pump running as slow as a teenager taking out the trash. (I swear they rig pumps to go sloooow until you try to stop them- then it shoots out an extra $.75 worth of gas just in time to put you over the cash you have in your wallet!) Anyways- my eyes were wide open, I was on alert. Watching out for carjackers….a momma bear protecting my lil guy- fast asleep in the car.
Then, it happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a large, dark shadow approaching. A BIG man. Rough looking- and well he was dirty. He was also, walking straight towards me.
“He’s going in to pay for his gas… he’s going in to pay for his gas…..” I told myself. My nerves tightened like strings on a cheap guitar. He didn’t head towards the door. He made a bee-line, straight for me.
My brain changed gears…… “Carjackers never just walk up to you…it can’t be that…Oh, GREAT… I’m about to be hit on by a dirty guy at the gas station….GRAND. Look Married. Look married….” I told myself. (I don’t get hit on often…— but to my teenage son’s chagrin— it DOES happen- to which they reply “Gross” ) Besides- I wasn’t wearing my “Mom jeans” and it was a decent hair day…..He might hit on me. It could happen.
The guy smiled. I didn’t smile back. But, I made eye contact. ( “Oh, Crud” I thought. (Making eye contact, breaks the cardinal rule of pretending not to see people- so they go away.)
“Hey…… here- I use these all the time…. keep them in your car, so you don’t get gas all over yourself.” He handed me a new pair of rubber coated palm “garbage man gloves”. He had the kindest non- perv… non- carjacker look on his face. Almost a big-brotherly look. I mumbled some kind of “no—but thanks” Still not sure if he was friend or foe. He said “I get them for free— comes with the job- I make sure my wife has ’em in her car too… she hates to get gas on her nails….”
His wife. Men rarely talk to you about their wife when they hit on you. Must be something else- up with this guy…..but I couldn’t figure it out. Maybe he was just a nice guy????
Not sure what to say…..I said:
“Me too.” I said— “thnx so much!” I took the gloves… surprised at the turn of events, and still a little skeptical.
He smiled. Then, just, walked back to his truck… a garbage truck. No car-jacking- no hitting on me… just walked back to his garbage truck. (Which accounts for the dirt- that’s for sure.)
I finished pumping my gas, (hands now perfectly protected) and neatly tucked the garbage man glove into my glove compartment.
I started my truck (nothing says suburbanista like a mini SUV) and I started to drive away.
That’s when it hit me. I’m a bigot. Sure— I could justify my concerns…. I know there are dangerous places and people who do bad things….but bottom line? I pre-judged- based on appearance.
A big, dirty guy walked up to me— and I could come up with only 2 options:
1) He was a car jacker.
2) He was gonna hit on me.
Wrong on both counts. He was a garbage man- and a gentleman.
Leviticus 19:15
” Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. “
Dear Lord- there are so many ways that I judge others- so often it’s on surface things. Appearance- experiences, or my own paranoia…. God- please help me to see people through your eyes- and help me to never forget the lesson of the garbage man and his glove….I love you Lord- and ask you to change my heart. Amen.
I don’t usually post something here from my personal blog— but today…. I think I’m supposed to…..so please forgive the cross post- I did however do a bit of editing and clean up;) ts
Tracy,
Isn’t it awesome that God does not judge us by what we look like!!! Wonderful story and I have been there. Blessings, 🙂
Tracy I think we have all been in situations like that, but isn’t God great ot teach us and mold us in his way of thinking.
Blessings.
Reminds me of a song by Nicole Nordeman one line in the chorus goes like this “I forgot he was created was created in the image of my God…”
I was wondering if you really said “oh crud”. Ha ha. One of the best things that happened to me with an international adoption (that never ultimately went through) was learning about stereotypes and bias and how even I had some of those deep down within even though I thought otherwise.
Oh, Tracey – I so often judge on the appearance. Very sad – I know I shouldn’t. Thank you so much for sharing and pointing something out to me that I should be more aware of.
Blessings on your day and always.