Today I saw Jesus…
While coming out of the Giant Supermarket with a package of Pepperidge Farm Mint Milano Cookies (a treat for my husband for finishing the painting job he started three years ago!), I was approached by an elderly gentleman who reached out his hand and said, “I’m Jesus.”
He was filthy with layers of caked-on dirt. His shoulder-length stringy gray hair was matted to the sides of his face, his long yellow fingernails were embedded with dirt, and the stench was overpowering—I was tempted to turn away.
Realizing he was definitely not the “Jesus” I knew, I reached out my hand and said, “It’s nice to meet you, ‘Jesus.’” His leathery hand grabbed hold of mine. His crooked smile and rotting teeth gleamed with appreciation. He mumbled something to himself and walked away.
I raced to the car to find my Purell hand sanitizer. My obsessive compulsiveness took over. I just knew one of those head lice jumped on me—I was sure of it. I found the hand cleanser and dumped out its entire contents—ignoring the impulse to take a shower in it (one fluid ounce was simply not enough!).
While I was rubbing my hands together for the sixth time, I felt a tear trickle down my cheek, then another, and another—spreading a sea of tears on the package of Mint Milanos.
Then I did something I haven’t done since I was six years old: I hiccup cried—gulping away tears and gasping for breath. For 20 minutes the tears flowed. And then as quickly as they started…they stopped. I looked in the rear-view mirror and was horrified. This strange woman looked like she had the measles—blotches of red and white—with mascara streaking down both sides of her face.
I got out of the car—ignoring the stares of strangers—and went looking for “Jesus.” I checked inside the grocery store, ran across the parking lot to the McDonald’s, checked inside Blockbuster Video, and chased down alleyways for 30 minutes, but no “Jesus.”
Finally out of pure exhaustion, I drove home in silence—no music, no singing, and no windows rolled down to let the cool breeze heal my reddened face.
Just silence.
When I got home, my husband greeted me and said, “What’s wrong?”
I handed him the soggy cookies and said, “I saw Jesus today.” He gave me that glare I’d seen before (when I told him I could fly—see previous post).
“Sure, honey, and I’m the Apostle Paul.”
I didn’t speak and went upstairs to my office, laid my head down on the desk, and prayed. For the first time in 52 years, I finally got it—I mean—really got it!
I opened up my leather-worn Bible to the “Special Dates” section—with its gold-embossed pages—and read through the list:
Easter Sunday 1961: I asked Jesus into my heart.
November 15, 1975: Today I said, “I do.”
June 30, 1981: I heard my baby’s first cry (Jeremy Christopher Pombo).
August 31, 1986: I heard my second son’s first cry (Jonathan Mark Pombo).
March 21, 1996: I heard the words, “you have cancer.” (I am a survivor!)
July 18, 2007: I wrote…
Today I saw how Jesus sees me. And yet…He still loves me!
20 Comments
Words aren’t adequate after this post, but I couldn’t NOT leave a comment.
You’re a blessing. Wow.
We serve an awesome God. Thank you for sharing your heart.
I love this, Connie.
Awesome. Just awesome. Way to pay attention, to ponder the moment God gave you. To realize, not only, that the “least of these” is Jesus, but also, that we are the least of these as well.
blessings and thanks!
K
All our righteousness is like filthy rags… yes, Jesus washes us clean… Praise God!
Tracy, Suzie, Keri and Susan~
Isn’t it amazing how differently we see life with our “God Goggles” on? It makes me wonder just how many opportunities I missed along the way because I didn’t have eyes to see!
Absolutely loved this blog!! I have a video you’ll just love called The Perfect Stranger…Make sure you see it…You will be so encouraged…Let us all lay down our pride of clean…think of what Mother Teresa did! Wow.
Just beautiful. Deeply moving. Something to ponder over my lunch today.
Can I rent the “The Perfect Stranger” at the video store?
“Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile.” ~Mother Teresa (It’s hanging on my computer!) That too has new meaning for me!
Jan,
I love to ponder over lunch…thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Connie
Whoa! I felt goosebumps spread over my body!
Cool story Connie!
Big Hugs! []
~Dana
What Jesus probably mumbled as he walked away was, “She has a good heart, doesn’t she Lord?”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wondered if the stranger I’ve been in contact with was actually an angel from God’s own army, sent to test my own heart.
Thank you again, for sharing.
Dana,
You and me both girl! Hugs right back–gently!
Queen Jaw-Jaw,
I also wonder how many “angels” I’ve entertained without knowing it. My husband now takes me seriously by the way!
Hugs!
Thank you. That was so real to me. My reaction would be the absolute same and to think Jesus, you love me! Unconditionally. It’s enough to bring you to a place of pure worship.
Thank you for sharing - yourself.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts…I rest in the knowledge that “Jesus Loves Me” (just like the song…Purell sanitizer and all!). Isn’t that awesome?!
Wow. That was a great story but I was not expecting your thoughts at the end - how Jesus sees us. Wow is about all I can say. I’ll be thinking about this today as I head back to work after a week’s vacation. Thank you for sharing your Jesus moment with us.
This is a most touching post. Some of the times I’ve felt closest to Jesus have been in homeless shelters and also encountering homeless people on the streets and in restaurants. God uses all of us. Connie, I love your heart and honesty. This post reminds me again that there is a piece of God in all of us.
Dianne,
I think Keri summed up my thoughts about Jesus so eloquently when she wrote:
“To realize, not only, that the ‘least of these’ is Jesus, but also, that we are the least of these as well.”
Welcome back from vacation!
Hugs!
Dotsie,
We serve an awesome God who gives us God-moments when we least expect them…this one will never leave me!
Hugs!
That was an incredible post. I have learned that God just shows up sometimes unexpected and then afterwards I have realized Oh that was God. This last mission trip I went on was one of those times.
God Bless,
Janice