A CHANCE MEETING?
I try to avoid the mega home improvement store that I consider to be for amateurs as much as possible, but sometimes it’s just too convenient… This is especially true on the weekends when the professional supply yards and houses are closed, but us workaholics aren’t.
I heard someone faintly calling my name from behind me. I never rush to see who it is. The truth is I never know if the voice is going to be one that I have long since buried in the lost memories of my mind.
I heard the calling of my name more clearly the second or third time. It was a man… I turned slowly to see a familiar face.
“Hey, how are you doing?” The man asked as we shook hands, both of us with a vice like grip.
“I’m good! How are you?” I asked as I studied him and tried to place a name with his face.
“Good, good!” He smiled and nodded his head with animation.
We made small talk for a several minutes. During that time the man’s name eluded me. Still does. But as we talked it dawned on me which part of my life this well groomed and slightly greying man came from.
The man’s familiar eyes and smile had aged some since I’d seen him last. No doubt he saw the same in me.
“You look good, still in great shape. Good for you,” I said recalling the days in the gym that we both worked out at about twenty years ago.
If you spend enough time with a person you find out a lot about them, their quirks, idiosyncrasies, likes and dislikes.
The man returned the compliment, which may have been sincere or not, I wear long sleeved and baggy shirts so it’s difficult to say. But then he said something else that clued me in and reminded me how much time I did spend with the man a long time ago.
“Still got the cool tennis shoes going,” he checked mine out and chuckled.
“Of course. Some things never change!” I laughed too.

While no one would ever compare my dressing habits to the likes of Frank Sinatra, especially during the day, when it comes to shoes, including tennis shoes, I don’t compromise.
As soon as the man said that I could immediately see him in my mind as the kid he was in the gym. He was always a very respectful young man… one that I’d forgotten all about.
I’m not sure if I heard the Golden Rule first or Matthew 7:12 and or Luke 6:31. I’ve tried to treat folks in a decent way during my life, but know that I’ve come up short more than my fair share of the times.
The man I’d helped train and gave spots to in the gym decades earlier and I chatted for a few more minutes. We shook the vise like hand shake once more and he was off.
He stopped about twenty feet out and turned back.
“I just want to thank you for all you did for me… for helping me,” he nodded with a serious expression.
I smiled and nodded too, “You did good. Good job,” I told him.
“Thanks,” he nodded yet again and disappeared down flooring aisle.
I wish I could say that everybody that has crossed my path in life would have nothing but good things to say about me. Not for me or my pride, but as a tribute to the One I belong to.It’s a fine thing to strive to be a bright spot in the lives of others, but we all fail. We let others down, it’s inevitable. They let us down too. It’s life. We all know it’s a fallen world after all.
“Father forgive us of our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us”.
It’s peculiar how the little things we do along the way can mean so much to others. That’s the gift that gives both ways, friends.
“… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” (NIV)
Sunday, February 3, 2019 @ 10:33 am
I have, on occasion, been approached by people who I had gone to school with. They recognize me instantly… my memory, what’s left of it.. is shot, but I just play it off.
Even though I had a rather tough time in school (I was a low achiever, still am) and kept to myself (still do), people from that period still remember me. But I was always willing to reach out to some.
Sunday, February 3, 2019 @ 2:22 pm
Since I’m older than you I have an excuse for not remembering who people are. š But I like what you are definitely saying here. I mentioned this at the funeral after I heard close to 2000 people came through on Sunday and Monday. 2000 people! I’m not even sure I know that many. š But the legacy we leave behind. WOW!! You have obviously left one with this man and I love that he went out of his way to tell you. Way to go. Now…if I can only remember who I’m writing to.
Sunday, February 3, 2019 @ 6:49 pm
Great post, as always, Floyd, and you make a powerful point: What we do, and how we treat others, and lo, even our tennis shoes (!) make an impression. Are we affecting people for good or ill? That’s when it helps to follow God’s golden rule, and ask the Lord to have a positive affect for His glory on all we meet. We really *can* make a difference.
Love
Lynn
Sunday, February 3, 2019 @ 6:58 pm
You put a smile on my face, Floyd. God bless him for his gratitude. God bless you for making a difference. Just as Jesus did.
Monday, February 4, 2019 @ 3:54 am
The older I get the less I feel things happen by chance. I think God sets up these moments for a purpose. And sometimes it is just to encourage us that we have done something right. š We all need that affirmation from time to time.
Monday, February 4, 2019 @ 6:40 am
Absolutely, Floyd! We never know when our gestures and actions, whether or not we see them as significant at the time, will touch the lives of others in such meaningful and memorable ways. Let us simply continue to do those acts of kindness in the name of our Lord.
Blessings!
Monday, February 4, 2019 @ 5:27 pm
Floyd,
What a wonderful surprise and walk down memory lane at the store. Yes, the Golden Rule and forgiveness because none of us is perfect. Blessings to you š
Monday, February 4, 2019 @ 5:29 pm
Names escape me at times, and the faces do change during the years. The things we do for people will last, even at the time we thought it was no big deal, it meant a lot to them. I can understand. May we continue to do as onto the Lord all those little actions that strike a cord of hope to others. Loved this post Floyd.
Monday, February 4, 2019 @ 7:21 pm
Oh, my, I have a terrible time remembering names! I can remember faces, and like you, I usually stand there wondering where I knew the person from! Ha! Sometimes, it comes to me, sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes, I just swallow my pride and ask them. You obviously made an incredible impression on this guy, and it is a good feeling to be reminded of something like that years later. Great story, brother. Thanks for sharing!
Friday, February 8, 2019 @ 7:45 pm
As a teacher I can only hope and pray that these kids that I get an hour a day with will somehow be impacted by a kind word or a loving gesture. Middle school isnāt a place where there is much of a return for your efforts but I love it and even if they wonāt remember me I pray there is a feeling of love, safety and acceptance every day. However, like you, I am not perfect. My patience gets tested daily and I have had some not go living moments. Thanks for your words, Floyd. Iām glad you were encouraged through this man.
Sunday, February 10, 2019 @ 5:27 pm
āItās peculiar how the little things we do along the way can mean so much to others. Thatās the gift that gives both ways, friends.ā
One never does know how one effects anotherās life. Perhaps we arenāt meant to know, until
Itās time to know.
Your āsneakersā as I call them, have always been cool.
Monday, February 11, 2019 @ 7:34 pm
Wow, those are some cool shoes, Floyd! I think I would remember you just for those! We all need affirmation and I’m thankful this man made the effort to thank you. Bless you, brother!