Chris

January 10, 2008

By Betty Rich Hendon

I had finished some shopping and was in front of the store waiting for my husband. We use small, yellow walkie-talkies when we run our separate errands, and I was about to call Drexel.

A young man walked by just then, a cigarette between his lips and not a hair on his head. He saw my walkie-talkie.

"That's a good idea," he said. "Your husband must be shopping inside."

"No, actually he's outside. I was the one shopping inside," I told him.

To my amazement, I heard myself continue, "You look to be about the same age as my son, and as an old schoolteacher, I'll tell you the same thing I would tell my son. You'd stay healthier if you would stop smoking."

He removed the cigarette. "I'm 27, and it's too late for me," he said. With a deep sadness he continued, "I already have cancer. It's lymphoma, but not in my lungs. I've started my treatments."

"What is your name?" I asked.

"Chris."

"Chris, I wish that I could have taught you. I bet you were a good student."

We talked awhile about school.

"Chris," I asked, "would it be all right with you if I prayed for you?" I had in mind to remember him in my nightly prayer time.

"Sure," he replied and immediately bowed his head.

He thought I meant to pray right then. I wanted to be sure.

"Would it embarrass you if I prayed right now?"

"Embarrass me? For someone to pray for me? No way!"

So right there on the concrete walkway in front of a busy store I prayed for Chris, a receptive 27-year-old God brought across my path.

We never know who is hurting and when a prayer is needed. That is the precious thing about the Holy Spirit. He can make us sensitive to the needs of others. I pray that each of us can make a conscious effort to reach out to those around us when we sense the Spirit's leading.

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2, NIV).

-- Adapted from "Paths That Cross," by Betty Rich Hendon.