This close friend who called me had met Dave one day in Downtown Royal Oak. At the time Dave was homeless and battling the bottle. The relationship my friend had with Dave stretched my thinking. I would consider my friend to have been a seasoned follower of Jesus. He had tremendous thoughts about being a follower – but instead of “witnessing” to Dave (like most Christians had before), my friend decided to learn from this man. I’ll stop here in this story… I’ll end up screwing up some details and really giving credit in the wrong places, but lets just leave at this: Dave forever changed my friend.

Homeless people really have a way about them. They seem to be forced into community. My wife and I watch Lost on TV where they have a really cool, slightly cheesy line, “live together, die alone”. This must be in the forefront of a homeless person at times when there isn’t enough food to go around or there aren’t enough blankets for everyone (Michigan can get cold). I live in a world where only the best, only the fittest, only the ruthless survive. Dave’s life confronts mine with a challenge.

I was reminded of a story about Dave by reading another friends blog this week in which Dave met some Christians in DT Royal Oak and ended up using money they gave him on his friend (a homeless man in a wheel chair – with no legs if I remember right). He took this guy to a hotel, undressed and bathed him, tucked him into bed and took off. What the??? I can’t imagine loving someone so much that you could do something like that – especially for absolutely nothing in return.

I was told Dave’s body was cremated and waiting to be picked up by his sister. Immediately after hearing this I had to wonder if what Dave’s family was like. I could imagine he was considered to be somewhat of an outcast in his family – I don’t say that in a bad way, but just simply that he was homeless and addicted. I hope his family doesn’t look at his life as wasted. I wonder if they’ll know the impact of Dave’s radical love and raw approach to Jesus.

Thank you Dave for your compassion for others – it has truly been multiplied beyond measure.

i was playing basketball at the community center, all sweaty with my headphones blaring when christopher, an 18-or-so year old african american guy, came over and promptly introduced himself.  after pulling out my ears and wiping sweet from my eyes i shook his hand, chatted a second and then continued shooting.  nearly every basket was quickly followed by cheerful applause from him. when i workout i typically do so very much to myself – his friendliness made my question my method, but i didn’t think much.

after a while christopher told his brother he was leaving the gym to walk around.  shortly after a game of 3 on 3 was suggested… no sooner did we pick team than christopher came back in the gym wanting to play.  i could tell the guys on the other team didn’t want him to play – but after some persuasion we were underway, now 4 on 3.  i was feeling pretty good about myself!  the other team even passed the ball to him from time to time.

well, aparantly i was playing a little to aggressive… near the end of the game i came down from a rebound and CRACKED someone on the upper part of their eye socket with my elbow.  i mean cracked! i thought we were going to the hospital for sure.  when i turned around – he was the last person i wanted or expected to see holding his eye.  my heart sank… deep!  the room was silent… it seemed like all eyes were on me.  i could only imagine what everyone was thinking.

he sat out for a few minutes still clapping at every made basket. he hustled back in to play defense and the game was shortly over.  i was trying to get out of just as soon as i could… out of the corner of my eye i saw him approach me.  his arm came over my shoulder and what he said left me searching for words… “are you going to be here tomorrow?” after i got over the initial shock i politely said that i wasn’t, but would probably be back later that week, at which point he turned to his brother and said, “can we come back later this week?”  then shook my hand and said “see ya buddy”.

looking back i realized the Lord used christopher to teach me about acceptance.  even though i cracked him in the eye – and he was going to have a nice shiner the next day – he wanted to be my friend.  his ability to see past my disguise and accept me and cheer for me changed the way i think.

i invite you to sort through my random thoughts and read any experiences worthy of blogging about, but i’d ask you to treat it as though it were just that… unfiltered thoughts. enjoy.