Keeping the doors open
There is the literal and the figurative meaning to this title, the doors of the church and the doors of our heart.  On Sunday night we had a meeting at Saint James Alexandria where the plant team gathered to discuss some of the details and get to know each other more. Towards the end of the meeting I noticed a man in the lobby. It surprised me and I thought maybe he was having car trouble. Why else would a man be here at 8:00 at night?
He spoke softly and I quickly realized English was his second language. Having had recent ear surgery and still not having my full hearing, all the while not wanting to interrupt the meeting in the sanctuary, I immediately felt I was the wrong person for this conversation. At first I understood him to be asking questions about the church and I explained our service times and our open and welcoming style as simply and clearly as possible. He asked if I had information, so I gave him a card and weekly update. Feeling somewhat unsure of his intentions, I told him he was welcome any Sunday and when he asked if he could stay and read I said sure, showed him a seat, and headed back to the meeting. I had no clue.
After the meeting, I noticed that he was still there and I went back to him to see if he had any more questions. Although I enjoy after meeting conversations with people, I knew this was the only conversation that mattered. Then he asked me if he could stay at the church that night. Wow.
I had looked at him and saw a man who was clean cut and gentle-mannered. I had seen a buttoned up shirt and a coat, but I had not noticed that his pants told a different story. I sat down and shut the world out to focus on this one man whose eyes were holding back tears as he shared his story as best he could and we tried to find a place for him to stay that night. He came back again Monday morning and I pray our plan to help him get back on his feet works. I say our plan because I simply gave him some options and resources I knew about and let him decide which he wanted more details and directions on. I pray he takes advantage of places that can really work with him and that he comes back again if they aren’t meeting his needs.
He wouldn’t accept food, transportation, or money, from people or the church. He had a job for years and lost it. I didn’t ask why. That’s not my business. I wanted to take him home with me, but that wouldn’t be a lasting solution. This man simply needed someone to guide him in the right steps to take to get help. Was I the right person for the job? I am trying hard not to answer that question by worldy standards, but by God’s. There is a reason he came into our doors and I looked back there. I had just finished my presentation and was engaged in the discussion led by James, there would have been no reason for me to look back there and notice a man back there.
I have seen this man three times in two days. I have said hello to him at least three times without knowing what to expect. I have said goodbye to him more than three times without knowing what to expect. That is where trust comes in and I know that He is in Gods hands and I know that this man will get back on his own two feet. I am honored to have shaken his hand and received his blessings as I pray I have extended God’s blessing to him.
At the same time, I am humbled and amazed at God’s mysterious ways. What an odd time for a man to appear at our door. Not only was it late, but it was a very long weekend with extra events at both churches I serve at in two different cities. It was a good weekend, but I was tired and under many deadlines for the second site. Monday was already a full day without “interruptions.” The thing is, I didn’t see him as one. That is what it is all about and God reminded me of that and renewed my heart because of that one man. I hope I see him again, whether it is in church or not. It’s not about gaining another member for our church (though that is always something wonderful), but about being a vessel for God to use and opening our hearts to be more like His so that they might see Him and know Him.
I don’t know when I will have the next opportunity to be present with someone like that. I hope it is often as that is where my heart is, that is why I entered ministry and want a Social Work background. In any case, I hope that it is a reminder to all of us to keep our eyes and hearts open.
