Convicting Shades of Gray
April 21, 2008
By Jennifer McClure
Short and slightly hunched, the man in front of me appeared
to be in his 50s. Unkempt gray hair wisped about his head. A plaid flannel
shirt that once held color was faded to gray — so much so it almost
looked dusty. But even grayer than his hair or shirt was the air about him, as
if a cloud of depression hung low like a fog.
Though I pretended to be interested in the magazine covers
and candy bars that flanked me, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation
just a few feet from me.
During the few minutes it took to complete his transaction,
the cashier asked if he was still homeless, how the medical tests were coming
and when he’d get to go home. For some reason he had been kept in our city due
to medical tests though he resides many miles south in a neighboring state.
At this store, I’ve found it not unusual for cashiers to
know tidbits about their regular customers. Though I am a not a regular at the
establishment — actually, I try to avoid it — I occasionally stop
there when it’s on my way and I have just a few items to pick up. Being located
in a run-down area of town, there are people hanging out in and around the
store who make me, a young professional, feel less than comfortable.
But that day in line, I witnessed a cashier willingly share
in a stranger’s heavy, gloomy cloud as she expressed genuine interest in his
life. She made final attempts at piercing the man’s gray air with rays of hope
as she extended best wishes. Certainly he must have appreciated her open ear
and encouraging words. I only wonder how her words changed him.
As I pushed my shopping cart out of the store, I saw the
man, now sitting outside on a bench. He gazed aimlessly back into the store
through the glass panes. His eyes seemed gray, lacking any spark and searching
for hope.
Accompanied by the rattling of the cart, I continued to my
car and dutifully loaded my bags into it.
"All men will know that you are my disciples, if you
love one another" (John 13:35, NIV).
— Jennifer McClure is assistant editor of Today’s
Pentecostal Evangel and blogs at Going Up? (jmcclure.agblogger.org).
