The Painted Man

I got up early last Monday. After a full day on Sunday, I could barely concentrate all day long.  It rained early and I wondered if we would be able to go to 180 at the skate park later that evening. It cleared up and turned out beautiful. We talked to several at the skatepark, shard pizza, and water. I brought something extra to hand out. 

We were given a gift of 1,000 dvds with three movies about the life of Jesus. It dawned on me how effective these might be for the skatepark. We were able to give a few away. I left around 8:00 p.m. exhausted and wanting to get home to Brenda and Tucker and Turner. The journey back to Runaway Bay is a 45 minute drive from McGratton Park. I wanted to make it before it got dark. 

I drove through a little community called Poolville and then saw a man walking along side of the road going toward Poolville in the opposite direction I was going a couple of miles outside of town. He did not wear a shirt and looked to be a very hairy individual. Just a little ways up the road I saw a Ford Expedition on the side in the grass with the emergency hazard lights flashing. It occurred to me that must have been the car for the hairy man headed into town. Conviction set in. I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to circle back and offer the man assistance. If you know me, that is a joke. I am not a mechanic. I could offer the guy a ride. I would be of no help to repair his car. 

The flesh rose up in me. I contemplated the situation. I was tired. I wanted to get home before dark. I was driving in the opposite direction the man was traveling in his vehicle and walking. None of these excuses impressed God. The conviction ensued. I came to a stop sign and a turn. I had to make a choice to obey God or disobey. With a deep sigh, I made a quick u-turn and found the hairy man now walking back toward the vehicle. I pulled up next to him and rolled the passenger window down. I asked if that was his vehicle and if he needed help. He told me the vehicle was not broke down but that and I quote, "She is just being a ...." It sounds like witch. 

I discovered he was not a hairy man at all. All that black that I thought was hair turned out to be tattoos. He was a painted man. When he did not want my assistance I drove on looking for a place to turn around to head back home. The Holy Spirit reminded me about the Jesus dvds. I whipped the car around and pulled up beside the man in the wrong lane. I did not have much time. I rolled down the window and said," I believe the Lord told me to turn around to come back and talk to you. I want to give you this. I will pray for you." With that I handed him the dvd. When he saw the picture of Jesus he rolled his eyes. He never said anything else. I had to get out of the oncoming traffic lane and with that our encounter ended. With the exception that I prayed for the painted man then and whatever he and his wife or girlfriend were going through. 

I want to pray for the painted man again. Jesus, you know the painted man's name and everything about him. I do not believe you brought him across my path by random chance. I believe you are at work in his life. If he does not know you, I ask you to prompt him to watch the dvd and come to know you as Savior. I ask you draw him to salvation. I thank you that you are working. I thank you that you are always on mission to seek and save those who are lost. I pray the painted man will be rescued and I will see him again in heaven. In your name Jesus, amen.