One more story from my trip to Baltimore. As our plane banked to make its final approach, I looked out my window seat across the city. I was reminded of my last trip to Baltimore nearly 8 years ago. As hard as you might find this story to believe, it is 100% true. I have a picture to prove it. It further illustrated the power of what Erwin McManus calls “Divine Moments” in the book “Chasing Daylight”.
As I said, a business trip brought me out to Rockville Maryland several years ago. It was during a bit of downtime that my boss asked me if I wanted to go grab some lunch. We were in one of those shopping strip malls, so there were a few choices out in the parking lot. We walked right passed a “Don Pablos” and headed into a burger joint next door of which I cannot remember the name. Just as we were walking in the door, Shelly said “You know, I think I want some chips and salsa instead.” She was buying so I could hardly complain. We made our way over to Don Pablos.
This is where it gets interesting.
I grew up in a little town called Bedford south of Cleveland, Ohio. In case you were wondering, it’s nowhere near Rockville, Maryland. As we stood waiting for our seats, a busboy walked by and immediately we locked eyes. A quick run through my mental photo album found me staring at a guy that was “Everyone’s All-American” in high school. That’s right. I was staring directly at a guy from my hometown. He was thin, burned out, and now cleaning tables at Don Pablos…in MARYLAND! I still get chills when I think of that moment. My chances of winning the lottery are probably better than that moment ever happening again.
Within moments, Shawn dropped his bus pan. Cups and plates shattered. He was now giving me the kind of hug you give a family member you haven’t seen in years. To hear Shawn talk later, I think he actually felt that way. We exchanged numbers and later that evening I picked him up at his sister’s house where he was now living in the basement. I took him out for a good meal and listened for hours as he told me stories of drug addiction, wasted years, homelessness, and shelters he had been in and out of. After dinner he had me drive over to the local high school parking lot. We sat on the hood of my rental car as he re-lived our high school memories. It was almost as if that was all he had left to hold on to. I will never forget staring into eyes that told a story of so much potential thrown away. Yet I saw a glimpse of a guy just trying to get his life back together. I’ll never forget it.
We met up again the next day before I left town. I gave him the 800 number for my pager which had voice mail on it. For the next several months, Shawn would leave me messages to update me on where he was and what his plans were. He decided to move to a homeless shelter in Miami. They would give him 90 days of housing and the first month’s rent somewhere if he would stay clean. They also would help him land a job.
He paged me 911 from the bus stop and told me a story of his ticket getting stolen by some kids. I drove to a downtown Cleveland bus station in the wee hours of the morning to wire him a ticket to Miami. My last contact with Shawn came in a letter from the shelter where he had secured a job at a grocery store and was ending his time at the shelter. I later left that job, and the 800 number pager and never heard from him again.
As my plane touched down in Baltimore Wednesday, I couldn’t help but think of that divine moment. When a decision for chips and salsa forever changed my life. I wonder sometimes if maybe, it forever changed Shawn’s too. I don’t know where he is in this world. I pray God’s grace and mercy are still upon him. I keep the picture of the 2 of us outside that Don Pablos in my desk and often stumble across it. When I do, I pray that one day I will meet Shawn again in heaven where there are no more demons, addictions, and memories of wasted opportunities. Only wonderful stories of divine moments and maybe some “chips and salsa” for old time’s sake.
i read your entry on faithwalk’s blog about your wedding day. i’m really inspired to see men who are following god with their whole hearts and are so devoted to their spouse and family.
Awesome story indeed – as we often say – “There are no coincidences in God’s Will” :))
What a great testimony Aaron! I love those divine appointments along the journey and pray every one of us is listening to the Holy Spirit; feeling when He nudging us t do something which can be as simple as getting chips and salsa instead of a burger!
Some of the most powerful connections I’ve had were when I suddenly felt led to go somewhere not realizing it was God thing until I met someone.
Thank you for sharing this, it really blesses me!
May you have many more divine appointments as you travel!
Jesus love and grace to you,
Susan
That’s a great divine moment, Aaron. Thanks for sharing it. It’s amazing how God guides our steps and chilling to look back on what was a “simple decision.” It could have been frustrating to be at the mercy of a woman changing her decision about what she wanted to eat! Ha! But God was in it and that’s promising to a girl who can’t ever make up her mind…ask Brent! I can’t wait to tell him how God can use indecision!
Back to YOUR story though…Very cool that he saw you as someone that was safe. The Holy Spirit was surely evident to him. Who knows if you’ve passed him again…he probably wouldn’t recognize you without hair now. That pic can not possibly be of you!
Code – Thanks for coming by the blog. To be honest, as the guys from Mercy me so perfectly say “I’m just a kid trying to make it home”. Thanks for sharing the journey!
Tikkiro – That statement proves true over and over and over again!
Susan – Thanks for the blessings on my travels. I look forward to what God has in store for each of these adventures. He’s moved me out of my comfort zone and I firmly believe he has put me here for a reason and purpose.
Krysty – You have no idea… At one time I had a great Mullet. Another time I had the whole “Vanilla Ice” thing going on. Complete with the lines in the eyebrow…ugh… I appreciate the comments and your support of this crazy thing! Hope Brent brings home the a “W” tonight. Sorry I’m gonna miss it.