Sometimes, I can be so self involved with myself. Times where I can only see it my way and will fight like anything to have it that way. Spoiled, I guess, to a degree. Then there are times when we are confronted with something outside of ourselves that turns the whole thing around. This is one of those times.

About 5 years ago, my wife Lynn and I, took one of our yearly treks to the central coast for some R&R. We had a late dinner, that is, around 8pm, which is late for us, and headed back to our hotel. Once there, I mentioned to Lynn that I wanted to go for a walk, just to clear my head of some things that had been on my mind, if she didn’t mind. She was tired from the days events and wanted to just rest so she was ok with it.

I made my way down to a park area that the hotel had which was right off the bluffs. It had a barbecue area and a few serpentine cement pathways running through it and one that traversed along the bluffs themselves. This is the one I took. It was dark by this time and all that could be heard was the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean as it crashed onto the shore.

I was praying as I walked, that no one else would be there. Remember the selfish thing I was telling you about earlier. And as I started on the path, I looked ahead to find someone, appeared to be a male silhouette sitting on a bench up ahead. I cursed in my head when I saw him. Why did somebody have to be there?! This was supposed to be just me out here! I took in a deep breath and thought I’d just go down farther to be away from anybody.

As I started to approach this person, I noticed he was leaning forward with an elbow on one knee and a cigarette in his other hand. Okay, I’ll just say a simple greeting and keep walking. No biggie. I walk up by him and say “how’s it going?”, to which came the reply, “not good.” Freeze. This isn’t what I expected. Stunned, I didn’t know what to say at first but then replied with, “I’m sorry to hear.” And then I went on walking. Cruel? Yea, probably. Not intentional, I was just taken aback. As I walked on down the path away from this noticeably worried man, I did the only thing I could think of and that was to ask God for help. Do you want me to talk to this guy? What do I say? Give me the words to speak to him so I can be of help. Some of, if not many of you, may have no problem talking to someone in this situation. Maybe it was because of my selfishness on this night that it was so hard to do. I needed help. I wanted to be sure to help this person. After walking about 200 more feet, I turned around to meet this man.

When I got to him, I told him I couldn’t help but think about what he said. I asked him if there was anything I could do. He then told me his story. He was from Bakersfield and had been working on a project out of town for several months and hasn’t been able to come home much during this time. He mentioned he was working on another project here on the coast but would have to be back at his normal job soon. What was killing him was missing his young daughter who was like 3 or 4 yrs old. He about broke down when he told me she would call him, in tears, and wanting him to come home. I was feeling sad for him at this point.

He said he had been thinking of quitting his job, saying it’s been tough staying away for so long. The pay was great and he wanted to stick it out for about another 6 months or so but didn’t feel it was worth it. At this point, I tried to console him with some scriptures I knew and it was then that he told me he too, was a Christian. He seemed to become a little cheerful as he told me some of the fun he had at some retreats he went on with friends. He was now becoming excited and the nervousness that he had before, seemed to dissipate, at least for the moment.

We shared some more stories and then I asked him if he wouldn’t mind if I prayed for him. He said, “Sure, I’d like that.” So with the Pacific Ocean crashing onto the shore behind us, and just us, I said a prayer with him and he thanked me when I was done. I wished him well and he again thanked me for the talk and said it helped. I was happy to hear it and said goodbye. Emotionally, I was so jacked over this! I just shook my head in amazement. Here thinking, I set out to be alone and not be bothered, and I believe God had other plans for me on that night. And you know what? I think it was a good thing for me too. God used this stubborn, selfish person that night to help someone in need. God turned the focus from myself, to another. He’s funny like that.

I went back to the room excited to tell Lynn of what just happened. Mind you, I’m not telling her this to brag or any of that noise. I was just so glad I could be used to help someone. Lynn thought it was great and could see me beaming with joy. And I have to tell you, for me, I’m glad I’m not in full control. I wouldn’t have chosen this at that time. The Bible speaks about being careful to show hospitality to strangers because, in so doing, some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2.). Now, I don’t know if this was the case with this guy, but it did send a message that it isn’t always about you Dale. And for that, I’m grateful