A Brake Job

Today I had the manly job of having our brakes fixed on our van. Not fun when you consider the cost, but not worth the risk of not having good brakes, especially on the vehicle that Kelley and kids drive the most.

As I found the right place, for the right price, I had a two hour wait before the job would be finished, so I decided to go for a walk. Highway 50 runs right through Orlando and also through some rough areas, however, I figured it was OK being the middle of the day. I wasn't going to venture off the main street though.

After about 2 miles, I had already decided to turn back when a young man came over to me at the light. I had asked God to place someone in my life I could share the Gospel with just a few minutes before. The young man asked if I was new to the area and that he was hungry. He shared that he had left home and had just quit his job because he didn't get paid. I asked the young man his name and he siad it was Eric. Proven by his tattoo on his arm. So Eric and I backtracked to a Wendy's to get some lunch. As we sat down to eat, he shared that he had a mom and two younger brothers at home, but he had chosen to leave home to be on his own. However, he was realizing that he really needed to go back home. He asked if I was a Christian since I was helping him. Eric said that he believed in Jesus, but found it very hard to live like it on the streets. I encourage him to go back home and to set a positive example for his younger brothers. As they are without a dad, they need someone to help them and although it would be hard, he needed to be that someone for them.

As we were talking, one of Eric's friends came in and sat down next to us. It was there I met Mike. Mike was quite a bit older than Eric, 36, and has had a really tough background. His story is one of foster homes to dropping out of school at 14 to living on the streets and serving time in jail for loitering and trespassing. He is without a job or a home in the area. I took Mike to a 7-11 on the corner and made some phone calls to try to help him. He seemed excited at first, but soon was discouraged as I began sharing steps for him to take to find help. "I don't want to go back there", he shared as I told him how to get to the Salvation Army where they would house him free for 3 nights, and help him locate a job. Mike immediately only wanted money and more help from me. I guess he had already forgotton that I had given him a few dollars I had in my wallet and all I was trying to do for him. I left Mike my phone number and I hope to stay in touch as I find time to go back to the intersection where he hangs out.

I wish I had a happy ending from my encounter with Mike and Eric today, however, I don't, yet anyway. I walked back to pick up my car really wondering what God meant for me to meet Mike and Eric today. I realize they have it hard and there seems to be no hope for them. I am sure they have heard it all before; people that come in and want to help, but don't know what to do, so they disappear. I don't want to just disappear, but there is a choice they have to make too. They have to want to change. I believe there are organizations there to help and people that really do care, however, sometimes those in need don't know how to accept help to change, all they can see is their immediate need. Sometimes that need is for a cigarette or another drink, or that prescription drug that would help him. Mike said that all he needed was a week in a hotel for a rest and a nice shower. I asked him, what after that? He couldn't answer.

I am still not sure what God wants to teach me through Mike and Eric, however, I did learn something. To be thankful for the blessings God has given me. I have a wonderful wife, and 3 healthy beautiful children. Not to mention a bed tonight to sleep in. I guess that sometimes we need to have a BRAKE JOB to stop and realize how lucky we really are.