I awoke in the morning to find myself saddened. It seems to be common so I didn't pay it any mind, but for this time I really was craving something. I decided to go to church with my brother Mykal. So I sat ready to go and I was excited. I had never really been this excited before just to go to church service, but I knew I had to go.
As I arrived, I arrived in the middle of praise and worship. I felt the spirit immediately fall on me and I just felt at home. I was beginning to feel recharged and like an old battery was being taken out and new one placed in. My spirit was crying out for real praise and I got it. Afterwards I felt like a million bucks, like the world had been lifted off my shoulders. While I was on my way to train, I constantly see cars line the outer margins of the road. I think to myself, where is the humanity? I am suppose to be this great giver and I can't even pull over to the side of the road and assist people. So after a great day on the courts I begin to get home shower and head out to Walmart for some common groceries. I asked God, Make me a better giver. And this is how I knew he was listening. As soon as I hit the front of Walmart a man says "excuse me." You have a car right? I was hesitant to answer at first thinking OK Chris, this is where it all goes down.
I replied, y
es. He looks me in the eye and says, Can I get a ride home? Now I'm thinking, yes God I asked to get stabbed today, but when he said " the buses are no longer running this late on sunday and I live off of ridgewood and mason, I knew he couldn't really be that much of a dedicated liar; but I could be wrong. I tell him, wait here and after I finish I'll come out and give you a ride if you're still here. He says ok and offers to pay for my food. I nod my head no and proceed inside. Now at this time I'm freaking out! I just accepted to take some santa clause looking man home, who looks like he has a hidden blade somewhere.
I begin to try to talk myself out of it, but it's a no go. I call my "friends" , but no one will answer their phones. So I called Mykal my brother. I tell him to call me in a hour and if I don't reply then most likely I'm dead. He tells me ok and I finish ringing up and walk outside. Now I'm praying to God that he's found a way home, but low and behold he is still there. He kind of dodges my glance as if I'm a terrible person and will forget he is sitting there. I also tried calling my mother who happens to be a pastor so she can talk me out of it for fear of my life.
So in my coolest way I walk over to the guy and give him the head nod to come on. I put my stuff in the trunk and tell him to put his groceries in the back seat. I stop him and say, now I have no money, and I have nothing of value, so stealing from me will get you no where. He tells me he wants no trouble and gets in the car with his cane. Still high off of the adrenaline that I might get stabbed tonight, I get in the car and keep the doors unlocked and begin to drive to the address that was provided.
Then the funniest thing happened. He stabbed me........ JUST KIDDING, no he began to open up about his life. He told me how he did drugs and just got out of prison for driving with a suspended license (not comforting). He also told me how he lost everything and lives at a half way house (also not comforting.). He then tells me he was baptized in prison and now is trying to do better, but it seems the world is out to get him. I tell him he has been given a second chance with this and that God hears him or else I wouldn't have picked him up. I tell him he will do great things if he just believes in his new calling. He says he has a new girl, but she is in prison n
ow and he is waiting for her to get out. I say take it one step at a time and believe. He leaves my car, shakes my hand and I say listen, this is your second chance, you can do it.
I get a thank you, a handshake, a wave, and a huge sigh of relief. God, it's amazing how you make such achievements as winning a match and finally paying off bills so small, but simple things like taking a man home, or helping someone cross the street seems like the world is shifting. I believe you still have need for me. I don't know what, but I pray that it has something to do with the direction I'm going in. I thank you and pray that I continue on this road of being a great giver and changing lives. Because you have changed mine.
