21 April 2024

Keep Jesus in their hearts
Yesterday, a 75ish year old man was sitting in a chair near the Walmart exit. I was picking up my weekly dose of V8 and a few other things. As I passed him, he leaned forward and released a vocal exhale; perhaps a word. I knew he had something to say. So, I stopped and said hello. My parents drank V8, he started out. To which, of course, I responded: It’s good for you. He continued…well my mother died young but she smoked to the end. But my father lived to 95… I said, sounds like you have a lot of good years ahead of you yet. The he mumbled: Until he comes. I leaned toward him a bit, and he restated, Until Jesus comes. Then he shook his head, and said: Things aren’t going too well in the world. I hope he comes soon. To which I replied: He’ll be coming. Hopefully soon, he repeated. I put my hand on his shoulder, and said, Jesus will be coming soon. I’m sure of it. Then I bid him goodbye. The short conversation stuck in my mind for the rest of the evening.
Then today, I got a text from a homeless man who said he was having a bad morning. He asked if I’d stop by to give him a ride. So after church, I picked him up. While driving he said: I’m really upset today. I asked why. He said, I just see five trees and it makes me mad as heck. I’m like: Why’s that? To which he responded: Because I know the wood from those five trees would be enough to make a person a home. I pondered his words. I agreed with him, just five trees could provide enough lumber to put together a ‘small’ home. Without discussing politics, and in so many words, I said: Things are not too good in the world. But, I offered him prayers and a few reasons to look up. Then I bid him goodbye, shaking his hand when I dropped him off. I drove down the street, and immediately these words came to me:
“There’s a lot of struggling people. Keep Jesus in their hearts.”
I know many of us have different thoughts on the topic but I will never apologize for trying to bring Jesus into your heart. I have experienced the existence of Christ a 1000 different ways over the past five years. He is real. He is my Savior. He is your Savior. You can accept Jesus into your heart and find more peaceful solutions and avenues on your path, or you can continue the struggle without Him. It’s your choice. I encourage you to accept Jesus in your heart and give it a try. And although the struggle is real, I assure you there will be peace, patience, and a path for you to follow. Hang on to Jesus to the end.

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