SOMETHING IN COMMON
Repost from 2010
I was approached by a man as I was walking to my truck a couple of weeks ago. He was a man of small stature and a quick glance had me guessing he was a shell of a once proud man.
He was hunched over with worn, dirty clothes. His hair was unkept and his smile revealed what looked like a battered and worn picket fence. He was friendly enough as he explained to me that he was in need of a ride.
I have to confess I didn’t want to give him a ride. He cleverly asked me which way I was headed and his 25% gamble paid off. Looks like we were both headed east. Rats… I wasn’t going to lie and I figured God had a lesson for me. If not I sensed God wanted to use what really isn’t mine to help the old guy out.
This short journey was the kind that was filled with conversation. The bum’s conversation I should say. As he gave me his detailed life story, I muttered a few “Yeah’s and Naw’s.”
He was a veteran, served in Vietnam, worked construction until his health wouldn’t allow it any longer. He said he was a “God Fearing Man.” I guess we had something in common. He shared with me how his Daddy raised him right, I learned we had even more in common.
My new pal just kept on talking, he got more animated when he shared with me how they, whoever they were, cut down his meds. He explained the necessity for his meds because he was depressed and kinda crazy. At this point I was with him on the depressed side. The other crazy side? I was a relieved to learn something we didn’t have in common. At least not in my opinion anyway.
My new buddy was headed to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles to acquire a new I.D. he’d lost. I was trapped in one of those 15 minute drives that seem to last an hour and a half.
As he was rambling I thought about some of my cousins who were Vietnam veterans. I pondered my cousin Larry who’s knees are shot and the only health care he has is the Veterans Hospital. The VA’s answer to Larry’s knees? Drugs. They want to give him pain pills and prolong the inevitable, either a surgery or death from Agent Orange complications.
I also envisioned my other cousin Mike, who is a retired California Highway Patrolman. His foot has got to the point where the pain, due to left over shrapnel from a land mine has him struggling to walk. He’s been carrying that souvenir for over 40 years. He was awarded a Purple Heart, I guess that makes him a bonafide hero. He is in my book anyway.
I considered the differences between this man and my cousins as I drove glancing between the road and him, nodding agreeably. The thing that struck me first, was that this was a pretty organized person who knew where to go to get what he wanted, or what he considered a necessity, namely drugs.
The next thing that struck me was his self-appointed title of “crazy.” I have another four cousins who served in the military during that era, one of which was in Special Forces. There are more than one of these cousins who any average person I know would consider “crazy.”
The difference between the people I know who are crazy and the people who claim to be crazy is this; The people who are truly nutso, don’t know it! The truly “crazy” people think they’re normal and the rest of the world is “crazy”!
I’m not saying my passenger didn’t have a tough life. Maybe he had it worse than some of the others, I don’t know. It’s just my observation.
As I pulled into the DMV my new friend panicked, “OH NO”! “I have a brand new 5th in my pack”! ” I can’t take that in there”! My opportunity to speak had finally arrived. I quickly offered, “There’s a trash can right there in front.” He looked at me like I was crazy.
He rapidly studied the situation and declared, “I can find a place to stash it.” I was seeing more clearly than ever at this point.
After he got out and we exchanged pleasantries, I watched him for a few seconds. Before I drove away the realization crept over me that we had more things in common than I was comfortable with.
I was slowly yet overwhelmingly overcome with wisdom speaking to my soul,
It spoke to me from inside my heart softly whispering,
“But by the grace of God…There Go i…”
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 3:39 am
I cannot even being to imagine the horrors many of these men and women experienced in Nam or in Iraq, etc. What fries me is how they were treated when they returned home…like the enemy. They were serving their country, doing what many were not willing to do. Fighting for their freedom to protest. My heart goes out to these people. I am also aware how much I am grateful for God’s grace. Times like this remind me…Thanks floyd for an excellent post.
Floyd
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 6:48 am
Amen Bill. I’m 100% with you. It breaks my heart that the ones who benefit the most from the sacrifice of others are always the ones to rail against the ones who provided their platform to do it. I wonder if all the common sense in our world is gone…
Jason Stasyszen
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 12:31 pm
Great story with a great point and I’ll just say ‘amen’ to Bill’s comment. Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 1:04 pm
Thanks Jason. We all need a gentle reminder, I almost missed this one from Him.
Hazel
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 6:24 pm
Another great Post: I can see some similarities, but not all.
Our son-in-law is a Viet Nam Veteran and was hit in the head with shrapnel, and I believe Agent Orange too. He suffers terrible head aches. When he lost his job, he, my daughter and granddaughter, moved to our town and he also lost his health insurance, so he does use the Veteran’s doctors and hospitals. We can in a sense emphasize with that old man, and if he can’t get drugs, I suppose he drinks away his pain. My son in law takes medicine but not the drink. Yes, if it were not for the grace of God, we would all be hitching a ride to the DMV.
Floyd
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 6:36 pm
Thanks Hazel. Well said, “We would all be hitching rides to the DMV.” Grace covers it all. I’m praying for your family.
Voni
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 6:40 pm
I used to work as a secretary in a Social Security Disability “firm”–for a Christian lady with a heart as big as all outdoors. Most of her clients wouldn’t have been her clients if they had the mental, financial, and family resources we do. But for the grace of God, indeed.
Floyd
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
Thanks for the insight Voni. I guess His grace could never be overstated in our world or the entire cosmos.
Effie-Alean Gross
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 8:20 pm
Floyd, you amaze me. I doubt I could have invited the guy into my vehicle. God gave you His grace that day. May the man find true joy in the “fear of the Lord.” Thanks for sharing this story. It is sad that different people with different circumstances make poor choices that lead to dire circumstances. I feel bad for the poor guy. You did, too, I guess. What an act of compassion.
Floyd
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
Oh, it’s not that big a thing for me. Really. I’ve been in significantly more dangerous situations than that. It was what God called me to that day. He drug me kicking and screaming, but it’s my call, it’s what He made me for. I’m sure it was more for me than the poor guy. Thanks Effie. You’re heart is bigger than our state… Maybe even Texas!!!
thefisherlady
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @ 11:11 pm
well written… but by the grace of God! there go I…so well spun from the heart. God’s blessing to the little fellow and you too …I pray he saw some light and will be drawn toward it.
Floyd
Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 9:46 am
Thanks Susan, that’s my prayer as well.
Danelle
Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 5:15 am
What struck me here is that this man knew where he needed to go, what he needed to do and was organized. . .but wasn’t ready to throw away the weight in his bag before he entered.
So much to be said about how we all would rather “stash away” than “throw away” what hurts us, what we carry as weight.
I am praying for this man today. For your cousins. For the Veterans who have achingly similar stories.
May we all find comfort in Him and be willing to throw away all that hinders us.
And yes, your cousins are true, true heroes.
Thank you for this thoughtful post Floyd.
Floyd
Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 9:49 am
Thanks Danelle. And thanks for your prayers for those in need. What you pulled out of the “weight” and all of us choosing to carry the baggage that keeps us from living a complete life in God was inspirational. One of us will have to write a post about that! I think it should be you!
Audra Krell
Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 11:52 am
Your writing is so great. As I read, I think of all my friends who would love your style. Sending out some emails next….people need a dose of Floyd!
Floyd
Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 3:20 pm
Thanks Audra, you’re too kind.
Nancy
Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 3:26 pm
Well done! These situations are always pretty much uncomfortable. Randy and I deal with many of these people-types ourselves. We always say a quick prayer whenever God show us one of them and then, as HE directs, we enter into their lives. Some of them are already into this survival-existence mode of living that they could never change…not even if you gave ’em a roof and a job.
We always tell them that the problems of this world are tough on people, but it won’t be anything like what they will experience after they die, without Jesus…then we pray with,and if there’s nothing else we can do, we leave them with food, clothes, $$ or whatever else God has us to do and then pray for another laborer of the harvest to be sent to them. Thanks for being open to that man….and for being open to the Lord’s leading.
Floyd
Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 5:27 pm
Thanks Nancy. I’m certain you and Randy are much more suited for this type of calling than me. You and your husband are the only people I know that actually carry around extra “homeless kits” to help the ones you seek. You guys are truly amazing!
brad
Thursday, January 19, 2012 @ 7:47 am
Great story! I think we have all run across your passenger at one time or another. You show your wisdom and kindness by the way you handled the whole situation. I think that is the way God wants us to be. I try to do the same and always feel better when I do. Keep inspiring us with words and actions. Thx Floyd
Floyd
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 @ 5:59 pm
Thanks for the encouragement my friend.