Every day I’m reminded of the fragility of our humanness; and the blessed joy that can resonate when there is hope! (Inspired by the Bible scripture: I Corinthians 13:13)
Monday early evening; the temperature hovered around 89 degrees on what was a hot, sun-filled day at the beach in Florida.
My family and I were walking to a nearby restaurant for dinner. We were hungry and couldn’t deny the rumblings of our stomachs any longer.
Hand-in-hand I strolled with my younger daughter, who’s almost 11, while my husband and our soon-to-be-teenage daughter, walked behind us.
Passing a Speedway gas station, she slowed down, turning to gape at a young man sitting on the curb a few feet away from the front door of the store. I glanced too. He looked to be in his mid-to-late-teens and tan. But then I peered at his clothes; torn cargo shorts, a yellowed tank-top in need of a good washing, and no shoes. There was an oversized white garbage bag positioned upright against the building. His hands were flying around, gaily, talking to anyone who would listen.
“Mom, look at the homeless guy. Who’s he talking to?” My younger daughter asked, ogling him.
I tugged at her hand. “I don’t know, honey. Now stop, it’s not polite to stare.”
Letting go, she paused and sighed, “I’m sorry.”
“… Hey, what are you doing?” Her older sibling scowled, almost trampling all over her on the sidewalk. My husband shrugged, and they went around us. I nudged her. “What is it, kiddo?”
“Mommy, does he live there? What if he needs a job?”
I nodded, stealing another look at him. “I don’t know if he lives at the gas station. A job would be good.” And a shower. And a home. And a good meal. “Why don’t you pray for him? Pray that he finds a job.”
She smiled, took my hand again, and we resumed our walk. “Okay, I’ll do that, Mommy.”
***
The next morning, we had an early boat tour reservation to see dolphins in the bay. We hadn’t done a dolphin tour in a couple of years, and I always remembered it to be a fun time. Plus, my older child had researched that the best time to see dolphins is in the morning. We’ll have to see if she’s right about that.
On the way to the pier, we stopped at one of our favorite breakfast restaurants. We were grateful for the quick seating by the host, as the small diner was packed for a Tuesday morning. After ordering, we were conversing about nothing in particular when my youngest suddenly grabbed my hand. “Mommy, Mommy? It’s him?”
I shook my head trying to understand. “Who? Who are you talking about?”
She tilted her head toward a worker across from us stacking clean plates from smallest to biggest behind the cook. “Him, Mommy! The boy at the gas station!”
My mouth dropped. It was the young man we saw the day before!
“Yeah, it’s him,” my husband concurred.
She said to me, “I prayed like you said to do, Momma. I prayed really, really hard that he’d find a job, and he did! See? He’s here.”
Tears began to pool in my eyes and I had to look away. She had prayed for a stranger. How incredible? Maybe he was hanging out at the gas station for the afternoon, or maybe, I hated to even think this, he was on drugs and talking to himself? So many negative other thoughts started to fill my mind and I willed them away. Was this a coincidence? Nah, he must just work here anyway.
Until…
Our food had come and we dove in, starved for eggs, bacon, and thick toast oozing with melted butter. After a bit, the host came up to us. “Hiya, folks, finding everything to your liking?”
My husband nodded, looking around. “Hmm, hmm, really good. Thank you! Busy morning, eh?”
The gentleman, sunburned with long creases lining his face grinned. “Yep, it’s been busy, but I’m not complaining. We’ve suffered enough during this terrible pandemic. Thank God, we’re doing—”
“Excuse me, Rod, where should I put these?” The gas station man approached the host holding coffee mug saucers. Rod pointed to a shelf across from the toast station. “Right there, son.” The young man nodded and walked away.
The host turned back to us. “… It’s good to be busy, so busy that I had to hire another employee.” He pointed over his shoulder. “I found that fella there hanging around the gas station yesterday and asked him if he wanted a job. He said yes, so here he is. Doing alright too.”
My daughter and I made eye contact; her sweet little face couldn’t hold the gigantic smile she wore. Thank you, God, for listening to my child’s prayers! You are truly an awesome God!
My husband and the host chitchatted some more before he was off seating other patrons. The rest of the day didn’t disappoint, either. We saw seven dolphins and even a baby dolphin. God blessed us with a calm sea and beautiful creatures. He also blessed a young man with a wonderful opportunity.
We should never underestimate the power of prayer.
References:
Best Time for Dolphin Watching in Florida 2021 – When to See – Rove.me