Shaggy & Buddy

1 John 4:11-12
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

I met Shaggy and Buddy (Real name: James and Buddy is his three legged cat) about three months ago on a cold February evening in Greensboro. James lives under an overpass over the train tracks down in Greensboro. Our family was out with the Salvation Army Night Watch team (they go out on Friday nights to serve hot meals, hope, and love with the homeless in Greensboro, if you want to join them). Although I had driven over and under the overpasses in the city hundreds of times, my eyes never saw the dark crevices where many of the city's homeless had made their homes. James is one of them. James came down the steep ramp of the overpass greeting us with a warm smile. We offered him some hot coffee and a pizza. We also had some new winter jackets that a friend of ours had donated. But when we offered James these brand new jackets he simply said, "I am good in these overalls." I had expected something like, "Sure, can I have 2?" (I had heard about how many will take new stuff and sell it and use the money for other things.)

However, James did not want a jacket. He just wanted to talk with us. I could sense such genuine appreciation and joy in him. He simply enjoyed our visit. I was blown away by how humble and simple his life was. He shattered and smashed my preconceived prejudices of homeless people. Honestly, I must admit I was (and maybe still am) little cautious when approaching the homeless. I had this attitude that I am somehow better off (or simply better) than the homeless; I was there simply to do charity. I did not realize that God would challenge me with a great friendship.

About a month ago, I took James and Buddy (his three legged cat) to the Veterinarian. We had a great time talking about Buddy and just about life. I shared with him my plans to go to Mexico. He shared with me his plans and hopes for planting some tomatoes. So while Buddy was getting all his shots, we went and bought some tomato plants. After I dropped him off, I promised to come back before I left to see Buddy and to see how the tomatoes were doing.

1 month later:

It has been a busy month. Our family traveled to Nicaragua to lead a small mission team from Texas followed by a busy week in Mexico finding a base camp. But this past Friday night, James kept coming into my heart. So at about 9PM, I headed downtown to James' "home" under the bridge. I shouted, "James!" He answered, "Who is it?" (a little disturbed, he does not get many house visitors) I yelled back, "It's Kyle!" He excitedly shouted back, "Let me get my shoes on, I thought you were in Mexico!" He ran down putting on his shoes. We embraced and shared our greetings. Then he led me to the Tomato garden. He was so proud of them. Three plants looked healthy. He said, "It looks like the harvest is going to be staggered!" (Each plant although they were planted at the same time were growing at different rates. We shared our adventures from the past month. I asked him if I could bring some of my youth kids to meet him. He was very gracious and said, "So many people have given me so much I wish I can give something back." James was simply so happy to see me.

James has taught me much about my shortcomings as a Christian. I had bought into the classism, materialism, and all the rest of the cultural "norms" of America. James has reminded me that God has called us to love one another. A love that shatters through classism and materialism. A love that crosses over racial differences. A love that crossed over from the Divine to the Human because God so loved the world. When God began to shatter my faults I discovered brothers like James, who simply wanted my friendship and not my money. He gives me his unconditional trusts and asks for nothing in return. I will have my final dinner with James this Friday night. After that we will be on the road for about three weeks making our way to Mexico. I pray that God will allow someone else to experience the genuine friendship of James while I am away. If you want to meet him, he hangs out at the library downtown.. Or call me maybe I can introduce you...