By the way... before I continue with Part 2, I have been bombarded with nothing but hate mail and nasty grams for not finishing this story. OK, so maybe it hasn't been that bad but I do apologize for taking over a month to finish this story. I hope you won't be disappointed... those of you demanding an ending to the story.
As in the words of Grandpa in The Princess Bride, "Now where was I?... Oh yes..."
10 minutes prior to what took place in the first story, I was walking back from the mailbox with some mail and noticed Billy standing in his driveway on the other side of the street holding something in his hands. I said hi and kept walking.
He crossed the street and proceeded to show me the playing cards he held in his hand. They appeared to be from some sort of role playing game. Dragons, knights and warriors appeared, all with their own powers and cost. As I listened to this boy, whom I know has no siblings and living with his Dad and girlfriend, I sensed loneliness and a need for approval. My heart went out to him.
It was a kind of a surreal experience where I was physically there but not mentally. It seemed as though he was seeking a father figure or male mentor. So, knowing that in this day and age it is risky just to be seen with children that aren't yours (and as far as his dad is concerned, I'm practically a stranger. I still haven't met him in the three years I've been here.), I slowly started backing up toward my house hinting non-verbally that I best get going. Surreal in that his need for belonging and a sense of safety was so deafening that I could almost not hear him speak at all. My heart cried out "Lord, please be a father to the fatherless!"
As I continued to back up, Sara and her companion approached with the red Radio Flyer wagon asking for Billy's attention. He maybe nodded in her direction but really just ignored her until he was finished describing every last detail about each card he held. I didn't want to encourage his rudeness to Sara so I made it more obvious that I was leaving. With that he said something to Sara to "get her off his back" and sort of started following me back to my house continuing to explain why the cards he has are worth the most and how to acquire them.
To myself, I cracked up because of this dogged determination to make sure I understood how important these cards were and how he ignored Sara. All to follow just moments later with, "I know that guy." As if he were saying, "He's my bro dogs, we hang out all the time yo! I don't mind being associated with this dude. We go way back!" Another example might be from the most hilarious movie Dennis the Menace when Joey tells everyone crowding around Dennis, "This is my buddy. This is my pal..."
I couldn't help but think that's how I would want to be if Jesus Christ was here in the flesh and I were to take him around and introduce him to my friends. "This is my Lord. This is my Savior... I know this Guy. He saved me! He can save you too!"
Okay... So maybe the analogy is a stretch and somewhat silly. However, I do know that we all have a need and desire to belong. As my pastor says, we are all gregarious; designed for a flock.
Jesus talks about just this concept in this passage:
John 10:14-17We are His!
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-- only to take it up again. (NIV)
Isa 43:1I'd love to hear your thoughts about belonging to a flock or wanting to be associated with Jesus! You really need to "know that Guy... God!"
1 But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. (NIV)
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