Red -Bearded Blessing

Hebrews 1:14 (NAS) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

A leisurely stroll on vacation, a walk of discovery through an artsy old section of a college town, vibrant with youth, trendy eateries and other shopping; God chose to reach His arms out and give me a hug this evening. I just love when He does that! 

Stopped at a corner, along with my sister, we chose our direction, straight ahead while waiting for the light to change. Behind me, I glanced at three young men sitting against the wall, their musical instruments twanging and strumming, piping and perpetuating income as the open guitar case captured lose change.

The middle guy caught my eye. He had an untrimmed reddish beard, and his framed face was topped by a cap with the same color hair sprouting out all sides.  The other two musicians appeared a little more “presentable”, (whatever that means). All were smiling, happy, as Mr. Redbeard shouted out to me.

 

“Hey, (as he looked right at me) what’s your favorite song?”  (no breath, no answer from me because time stood still). My sister turns her head and looks as he answers for me.

“Oh, I know.”  He begins to sing and his two partners on either side accompany him.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I am found, was blind but now I see. My chains are gone. I’ve been set free. My God, My Savior, has ransomed me.”

The light changed and my sister wanted to fly across that street.

“Wait, I said, I’m not leaving until they are finished singing.”

 

I hunched down in front of him and placed a few dollars in his guitar case. 

 “Thank you,” I said as our eyes met again. “That IS my favorite song. It is the last song, last words my son sang to me before he died and went to be with Jesus five years ago.”

 

“Be Blessed”, he said, with a huge grin surrounded by his reddish beard.

 

My sister and I continued to walk up the street, though we changed our original direction. Overwhelmed with joy, we didn’t get far before I needed to go back. I wanted to take their picture.  I did not have my camera with me, but remembered I did have my cell phone. Not more than a few minutes had passed.

 

We returned to the scene, but the trio no longer embraced that corner. They were not across the street, walking near-by, nor catty-corner. The music left; the bearded stranger and his back-up closed the show with my encore.

 

Whatever sadness, disappointment, hurt, tragedy you have suffered in your life, I believe with all my heart that God grieves and suffers along with us. He never leaves us alone. When we look for His blessings and hold fast to the heart knowledge He gives us that He is ever present, He presents us amazing gifts that attend to our wounds and fill us with His Peace. 

                                               

There is a song by Mercy Me called “The Hurt and the Healer.”  The words say,

“I’m alive, even though a part of me has died. You take my heart and bring it back to life.” God does this for me, and it is never how I might expect it, so I know it is completely and lovingly from Him. 

Thank you Lord for my red-bearded angel and his band, who ministered to both my sister and me that beautiful Thursday evening in Flagstaff, Az. A Train runs through the middle of this town surrounded by glorious mountains and majestic deserts, and I believe a stopover in Heaven.   CV