Second Chances

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7-21

It was nearing the end of a busy work day when I saw him walk through the door and toward my desk. He wore a blue and white bandanna tied round his shoulder length hair, his jeans were ripped at the knees and his arms were full of grease. He looked pretty scruffy, but it was the spider web tattoos on his arms and neck that made me a little uneasy.


I set my pen aside as he came closer. “Can I help you?” I asked. “I’ve run out of gas”, he said. “Do you have any gas or a gas can that I could use?” “No, I’m sorry I don’t”, I replied, hoping that he would leave. He smiled humbly, as if he knew that I would say no. He thanked me, turned around and left.

It was in that moment, when he smiled and turned away, that I remembered my morning prayer, “Father, help me to see your face in everyone I meet this day and use me as you will”.

My heart sunk. The Lord had answered my prayer and I had just blown it big time because I was frightened by someone's appearance!

I got up and looked out the window to see if I could see the man whom I had just sent away. He was nowhere to be found, but I did see a beat up old truck loaded down with cardboard. You see, my office is down the street from a recycle center and many hard working folks bring their findings up and down our street all day just hoping to earn enough money to make ends meet. This man had almost made it there when his truck had run out of gas.

I quickly went out to our warehouse and managed to find a gas can. As I walked out the door he mysteriously reappeared. And when we saw each other, I am not sure which one of us was happier, him or me! He thanked me for helping him; I apologized for not giving him the time he deserved. Continuing  to smile, he  took the gas can and went about his business.

A little while later I heard his truck start up. God had given me a second chance and I was so grateful!