"Someone to see you" Our afternoon service was soon to start. I took a quick look before he saw me...he looked familiar. As I walked towards him I was sure I knew him "hello... how can we help?". The guy needed a food parcel "no problem... do I know you?"He looked up "no... never been in here before".I persisted "are you sure - you look familiar..." He smiled - "well they say I look like my father".
"And do I know your father...?"
He smiled again, this time revealing a stumpy nicotine stained set of teeth "oh yes you know him!"... "I know your Father...?" I was getting perplexed. I shook my head "I'm sorry but I'm not sure I do."
He was clearly enjoying this."Oh yes you do...!" he rolled his eyes upwards and gave me a knowing wink. Suddenly he dropped his voice "I've been before...this is my second time around" Clearly frustrated with my ignorance he grabbed my arm and while nodding to underline and affirm his words he moved too close and whispered "I... I am the..... Christ Child"
All I could muster was "Wow... well ... um" . "Don't worry I get that all the time..." I go and return with the food parcel. I'm not sure whether this was right or wrong of me but I had a burning question. "Tell me... how's your cousin doing...?" He looks up from checking the food "which one...?" ..."you know" I persist "the famous one?"
"the famous one....?" It was his turn to be confused. "yeah the famous one... you know famous for losing his head...!?"
Scratching his chin, he looked at me while searching his memory. Silence...then..."You mean Steven Davison..?" he said hopefully.
"Actually no... I mean John"
"John?... John who?"
Our eyes meet and now I move into his space and drop my voice "You know... John the Baptist?" The penny dropped - "oh him..."
"no... he's not around at the moment...?!!"
"No", I reply "but I know where he is ....he goes to my mates Salvation Army in Harlesden...!" [Good friend and collegue Ian has some great reflections on his John the Baptist]
We chat a bit more before we shake hands and he leaves.
Later within our afternoon service my mind wanders I smell my hand. Sitting there suddenly I am aware of Paul's nicotine, alcohol, dirt encrusted smell. I smile as I think of Paul Davison (AKA Jesus - the Christ Child). My eyes closed the smell evokes his stumpy nicotine smile... and some words ...
"I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me.' Matthew 25: 40 MSG
How many times do I fail to see Jesus in others?
Gordon CotterillActive UKT
2 comments:
Gordon:
Thank you for this reminder. Lord, help me to see You and to love You through the people You entrust to my care!
jeff
Active Former US East
What a great idea. We are former officers from USA East. We put in just about 20 years before the internal politics got to me finally. All of these years later, I still think The Army has a place and ministry in the world. We are very active in our church, Church of God, Anderson, In. and we still have friends who are now retired from the ranks of officership and are in contact with them often. When we first resigned we went to a Corps in North Carolina. There was not a lot of interest in us, nor did we get any encouagement. It was as though we were lepers. We never went back. When we were new officers in Vermont and in New Jersey, we had some former officers. One set were going to another church, they came to check us out. We told them we were green and boy could we use their help. Well she took over the Girl Guards and Sunbeams or her husband took over the men's fellowship. We also had another set of former officers there and he became the Sgt. Maj. and was a close friend until he was promoted to Glory. ex Officers can be a big help if the CO does not feel insecure. Just my observation.
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