The last several days I have been up in Cleveland working with a leadership team that I visit in person every other month or so. This time, I was blessed to have Janet travel with me, in addition to Lori, the owner of a company that I also deal with. It’s a 5 hour drive and it’s not exactly full of beautiful scenery. In fact, it’s kind of like driving to Chicago from Indinapolis, only several hours longer. Having made the trip numerous times, I have chosen certain places to stop for fuel, grab a soft drink, or even have a quick bite to eat.
Once I am on the Ohio toll road, there are three service areas before I get off the highway for my destination in Cleveland. For some reason, I like the second service area the best. It just seems to be the cleanest and have a variety of small shops that appeal to my style of eating when I am on the road.
Anyway, I pulled up to my regular pump to buy fuel. Only this time, there was a little sign on the pump that the printer didn’t work and I would have to go to the cashier in the little building between the fuel islands. I made my way there and opened the door to an incredibly tiny area – barely big enough for two people.
There I saw a guy sitting behind the counter – you know, one of those guys who had a long white beard, dressed in blue jeans with a tee shirt; and a hat. Anyway, he was wearing a gold pendant – a beautiful fish hook. In fact, I wondered where he got it – it would be nice to add something like that to my collection of similar stuff.
He shared with me that he recently had it made after his 53 years old son died of cancer in May. In fact, he combined some of his son’s ashes with the gold and had the piece made. He said that I made his day! It felt great. That opened the door to a longer conversation… he has also lost three of his best friends recently to pancreatic cancer and one to a heart issue. It was clear that this man has been through quite a bit of grief lately, but his attitude was awesome. He also let me know that he teaches math and geometry – from basic classes to very advanced. For some reason, I was kind of surprised. It just didn’t seem to fit him for some reason. I guess, if I am honest, that sometimes appearances can be deceiving!
Not only that, but he also wrote a course on the history of rock and roll. His students must be seniors, having attained a 3.5 GPA and be in the last semester of their high school experience. He said it was the most requested course in the school and I listened with interest as he shared highlights of his experiences in class.
It brought me back 50 or so years ago when our family made wooden temple block sets for Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago. You never knew what famous group may be down there when we arrived with their shipment each month. Deep Purple, Carpenters and many others frequented Ludwig for their drums. It seems so long ago…
I also knew the guys at a small local group that played at Friday night sock hops in Oak Lawn. Originally, called Tradewinds, they renamed themselves TW4 and I was there the night they made the decision to become Styx… One other time, I was invited to a small party in Oak Lawn after a downtown rock concert. Who happened to stop by? Chuck Negron, one of the three lead singers of Three Dog Night – one of my all time favorite groups and the headliners of the concert I had just attended. The point of all this is that it brought back great memories from half a century ago. I wasn’t a big rock and roll fan, but in a way, I’m kind of like Forrest Gump. I just happen to be in the right place when stuff happens – no thanks to me!
At the end of our conversation at the counter, the gentleman asked if he could call me when he is writing updates for his course. I don’t think I have much to offer him, but I gave him two cards – my corporate business card and an invitation to read these posts on TBTB. Something tells me he may just tune in…
Our verse for tonight is a short submission to us by the author of Hebrews. He tells us, in Hebrews 13:2, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Somehow, that’s how I felt at this small non-descript fuel pump Tuesday afternoon. I brightened his day – and he did the same for me.
My encouragement this evening is that God blesses us from time to time with these unexpected meetings with complete strangers. As Christians, we are expected to answer the call and do our part to spread the Good News of the Gospel. My prayer is that you will be blessed like I was this week – an unexpected opportunity to connect with someone that you probably wouldn’t even notice in a crowded street.
By the way, did I mention that I never even got his name? Shame on me. And, as we parted, he let me know he was the Ohio State Santa Clause! Go figure! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…