On An Adventure

Tonight on my drive home from work, I had one of the most humbling experiences. It all started today when I went to the Dollar Tree in Lincolnton on my lunch break. On my way back into work, I saw a man sitting on the side of the road tucked in next to the woods. You could tell that the man was homeless from the clothing he wore and make shift home laying in the back ground. At first I didn't think twice about this, but it was tonight that that still small voice spoke to me. We had a Krispy Kreme donut fundraiser at work on Thursday and there were 3 left over boxes sitting in the front office about to go bad. Knowing good and well that I don't want nor need these (as I am dieting), I gave one of the boxes to my co-worker and then left the other boxes sitting there. Tonight as I clocked out, I heard something telling me to go back in and get those boxes. That is when the Lord spoke to me clear as day. He told me to take those donuts to the man I had seen earlier in the day. So, I hopped in my car and off I went. I was wondering if the man would even be there? Sure enough as I made the turn into the gravel drive, there he was. I got out of my car, walked around to the other side and opened my car door. I took the two boxes and asked the gentleman how he was doing? With a big smile he said, "I am good" I then asked if he would like to take the donuts? He smiled at me and then said "honestly, I have more then enough food, but if you want me to take the box, then I will" He took the box, and then I asked what his name was? He told me his name was JC Wright. I then asked where he was from and he told me Charleston, SC. I told him how much I love it there and then we proceeded to talk about Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. He then looked at me and said "the spirit of the Lord lead you here" With tears in my eyes, I managed to utter the words "yes" He looked at me and then said, "you know how I can tell it was the Spirit that led you here?" I said "how?" He said "it's in your eyes". I then started crying and he told me not to worry about him, that he had been blessed and that he choose to be this way. He said he was on an Adventure. I stood outside in the cold with this man for nearly 30 minutes. He told me how he choose to live like this because of Hurricane Katrina. He said he watched the news day after day and then thought to himself what he would do, should something like that happen to him. He said he decided to pack up, and take only what he could carry on his back. He told me this was his second adventure and that he had been as far as Washington, DC. He said he wanted to travel and live in different environments so he would know how to survive in any type of situation. I asked if he needed anything along the way and he said water resistant shoes would be nice. I asked him what size he wore and he said a size 9 wide. He also asked me to take food to the people who lived under the bridge. He said he didn't know their names, but that it was a couple that lived there and he had offered them food earlier, but they wouldn't take it. We then started talking about money and how much Americans waste and how they will go into debt for anything. We talked about Christmas and he mentioned the fact that people will nearly max out their credit cards just because of one day. He then said..."If they only knew what Christmas was about." What was even more humbling, was the fact that within those 30 minutes of standing there and talking with this man, that three other people stopped. The first came with a hot cup of coffee. The second, a lady with some hot home made beef stew, and another gentleman came as I was telling JC good bye. He opened his wallet and wanted to give JC money, but he wouldn't accept. I wish I could explain the feeling that over came me, as I drove off. I knew the Lord was with me. I burst into tears and thought about all that I had to be thankful for. Just earlier that day, I was complaining and wishing that my job paid more. I then drove down a ways and remembered another man that I saw on the side of the road. I believe his actual name is Todd, as I have heard of this man before. I walked up to him while he was fiddling with his grocery cart. I asked if he too, would like the donuts, but he said he would have to decline because of his teeth. He told me thank you and I went on my way. While leaving, again the flood gates opened. I simply said "thank you Lord, thank you." We have so much to be grateful for and I pray that as we approach the holiday season that we remember this. I thank the Lord for all those people who stopped and I wondered if the Spirit of the Lord had spoke to them too? One way or another, I know that I was led to this man, JC Wright for a reason. And for that I am truly humbled and grateful. Thank you Lord for all you give and take away and thank you Lord for leading me to JC Wright. Tonight I pray that you will keep him safe and warm and may I never forget this man who touched my heart.