Brenda’s Blog – October 4, 2016
“Come home – we miss you”
Driving down the highway, I glanced at the face on the billboard, read the message, and thought of those who installed it. The date under the picture indicated this man disappeared 15 years ago. Who was he? Why did he leave? Is he still alive? Would he ever see the invitation?
This man and those who love him were still on my mind when I pulled into a restaurant for a quick bite. It was late and the room was nearly empty. At the back snuggled in a booth, a young couple ate. They looked rough and I assumed they belonged to the motorcycle parked by the front door. In the next booth an old man sat beside his suitcase, counting out a few dollars. Caught up in my own musings, I didn’t even wonder about him. Then I heard the young man ask, “Are you traveling?” The old man told of trying to get home and not having enough money to stay overnight before “hitting the road.”
My cynical self muttered inaudibly, but immediately, the young man and woman got up. Not to leave, but to go get change for a $100 bill. Without any notice, he came back, counted out some bills and said, “Find a place to stay tonight, get something to eat, and then get home.” The young woman asked him about himself and engaged him as a person. They shook his hand, gave him their names, and slipped out.
Yes, they were on the bright yellow cycle. But they weren’t aimless – they had great purpose: doing good. It crossed my mind that perhaps two angels got a cool assignment that night – riding a bike and helping a very old man get through another night, and hopefully, home.
The old hymn says, “Come home, come home – you who are weary, come home.” I hope that man on the billboard makes it home. And I hope the old man with his suitcase gets to walk through his front door, received by those who love him.
Do you need to go home? What is stopping you? Do you need to tell someone they are welcome? Do it now.