Jack

Photo by Tamera

I wanted to share a story from a fellow christian's blog. We have so much to learn from Steph's words and her journey. I included the picture above, because we often look through our hand instead of seeing God's work.

Jack By Steph

This summer I had an encounter with a man who changed my life. I was in Downtown Detroit with a group of students from College leading a dislocated Bible study. We went to Campus Martius to read the story of the Good Samaritan and were then going to walk to Hart Plaza to think and meditate on what we had read. On our way to Hart Plaza, I saw a man sitting outside an office building. He had a huge head of curly hair, wore a coat in 80-degree weather, and as people walked by, his smile lit up his face. I told the group that I would catch up with them and crossed the street to sit by the man. I sat down and said hello. He seemed surprised, but said hello back. I introduced myself and he did the same. His name was Jack. We sat and talked for about 15 minutes and then I asked if he was hungry. I hadn't eaten all day, so I asked if he would like to have lunch with me. He said he'd love to. Because it was nearby, I suggested Au Bon Pain--Jack said "how about if we go to Jimmy John's instead--I've never eaten at Au Bon Pain, but that name sounds too snobby for me". So, we walked to Jimmy Johns, got our sandwiches, and went back to the park to eat. While we sat and ate, Jack told me about his life. He told me about his family, his children, and how he ended up living in shelters and on the street. He told me how grateful he was to have people who loved him, but how distraught he was that he couldn't make them proud. After he talked for a while, he said "Ok, I've depressed you enough. Now let's talk about you." I told him about my job, my family, and all of the things we talk about to make small talk. But Jack didn't want to hear those things. As I spoke, he interrupted and said "now tell me about the real you". It was in that moment that I let my guard down. As he sat and held my hand, I told him everything. For the next fifteen or twenty minutes, he listened intently to my hopes for the future, my fears, my dreams. I began to cry as I told Jack that I want to work with the homeless and the working poor full-time, but that I am too afraid to give up a secure job and secure relationships in order to do so. I explained how much it hurts me that I don't have enough faith in my God take such a leap of faith. It was the most free and open I had been with myself and with another person in a long time. He encouraged me to take a small leap of faith and to take classes on non-profits and business so that I can begin my own organization. He told me about his experiences as a homeless man and how he often feels stripped of his dignity by the police, the community, and while living in some of the shelters in Detroit. He talked about how excruciatingly embarrassing and dehumanizing it is to have to go to the bathroom on the streets since there are very few public restrooms in the area. We discussed the zoning and set-up of the city of Detroit--how hundreds of thousands of suburbanites can come into the city for ballgames, plays, concerts, casinos, and so on, yet have absolutely no idea how bad it really is there. Detroit is the poorest city in America, and yet most of us who go Downtown from the suburbs would never know that because we do not have to drive through any of the "bad" neighborhoods in order get to where we are going. Jack told me what he thinks the homeless really need, what changes he thinks need to be made in the governmental system, and what the homeless really need from soup kitchens and shelters. A few minutes later, the group I was with returned. Jack looked at me and said that he wanted to ask me one more question before I left. "Why did you talk to me?" he asked. I said "I don't know. There was just something that drew me to you". He took my hand and said "Thank you. Most people will look the other way or give me money, but you talked to me. You saw me. To most people I am invisible, but to you, I was a real person. Keep doing that. Promise you'll keep doing that". I gave Jack my word and my phone number, hugged and kissed him, and went back to the van to head back home. Not a single day went by that I did not think about, pray for, and thank God for my encounter with Jack. You see, while he was touched that I "saw him", what he didn't realize is that because of him, I saw the real me for the first time in a very long time and my life has not been the same since. Jack wouldn't settle for the trite conversation and pleasantries. He saw right through my stock answers and shallow conversation. He was the kind of man who drew complete honesty out of a person, not to be manipulative, but because he genuinely cared. Jack did more for me that day than I ever could have done for him. I looked for him each time I went back Downtown, but could not find him. I was with a group serving lunch for the homeless in Cass Park in October when I heard his voice. He looked different--his hair was short and he had a different coat, but he still had a smile that lit up his entire face. I sat and talked with him on this day and on other days that we went to Cass Park. The last time I saw him, I asked him what I could bring him the next time we came. He asked for homemade chocolate chip cookies and I promised I would bring him a batch. Today, we received word that Jack passed away on Friday. I have cried off and on since the moment I found out. I only knew him for a short time, but this man impacted my life. He helped me realize what I really want to do with my life. He helped me see that I should not be afraid to do what I am passionate about. I will keep that promise that I made to Jack--I will not allow the homeless of Detroit to be invisible. I will do all that I can to make sure they have people who will listen, people who will love, and people who will serve them. And from now on, each time I go to Cass Park, I will take homemade chocolate chip cookies in remembrance of Jack.