Dinner with a stranger part 1

Tim sighed and looked at his watch. 10 minutes had passed since Scott left. It was a long 10 minutes and it was going to be an even longer 20 till Scott was supposed to return. They had only met a few hours ago, but already they had shared things that best friends rarely share. Deep intimate scars, only a few people know of and even less speak of.

They met in the street. Cold and hungry, Scott was doing his usual task of pan handling. He was good at sizing up people. The ones that looked him in the eyes were usually the ones that would give him some money. He was really lucky when they were Christians. He was really lucky when he ran into Tim.



Tim, a young college student, was feeling the need to go for a walk. His dorm room was getting way too small and the college was getting even smaller. He attended a small Christian college at the edge of town. That college for many became a hide away. A place where students escaped the so called evils of the world around them instead of going out and being the light to those in need. Tim wanted to break free from that mindset that seemed to hold so many in bondage. So he left for a few hours and just started walking around downtown. That is where he ran into Scott.



They locked eyes instantly. There was a desperation in Scott's eyes that first made Tim notice. He immediately began to pray for him and reach into his pocket for some change.



"Hey man, can you spare some change for a hungry old man?" Scott called.



Tim made his way over. I got him now, thought Scott with a smirk. Nothing left to do but reel him in. They chatted for a few moments. Tim didn't have any change, but did offer a listening ear and a word of encouragement. He offered also to buy him dinner as he had his debit card, but no cash. Scott, agreed as he saw something in Tim that he didn't see in most people and wanted to learn more.

They sat down in a corner booth and ordered. The conversation dulled down as they covered most of the surface topics. Weather, where they were from, what food they were going to order and why. Those topics which fill the lives of most of America. Tim anxiously awaited the moment when he could take the conversation deeper. He really wanted an open door to ask Scott about Christ. And then it happened.

"So, you one of them Christian's, aren't cha?" Scott asked breaking the ice. "You asked me out to dinner to feed by belly and soul. Gonna tell me how I need Jesus and how He will make all things better if I ask him into my heart. Huh?"

"Yes, I am a follower of Christ. But no, things will not just get all better, because you put your faith in Him."

With a sly looking grin and a shake of the head, Scott looked right straight into Tim's eye. It was an evil glare. One that said, I ain't want nothing to do with your God. Tim smiled back and tried to look past the evil exterior. Jesus, you love this man. Show me how You see him.

They talked a couple of hours about faith and life, hurts and disappointments. Scott opened up and shared things that made him angry at God, angry at the church. Tim didn't offer him much of an explanation, but offered an ear. Many tears were shed, and a few laughs also shared. The conversation went round and round, not really getting anywhere.

"Look this has been nice and all," Scott finally muttered, "but we both know I am not cut out for this here Christian thing. For one, I just don't trust Christians."

He paused, taking a long drink of his coke. "It's like this; they see me and run. Maybe not physically. Huh, most of them will even talk to me or offer to take me out to dinner like this. But mentally, emotionally, they are distant. They check out of the conversation before it even gets going. They don't want to help me, they just want to mark off their good deed for the day. But help me, no, they don't want to help me. They can't help me till they learn to trust me."

Tim wanted to interject, but he just kept listening, trying to hear this man for who he truly was. Suddenly he got an idea. "What can I do to prove to you I trust you?"

"You serious."

"Yeah, I really want to help you. Maybe you are a little rough, but I see good in you Scott, I really do. I want to trust you. I do trust you. What do you need?"

"You got a phone. I haven't talked to my family in years. Don't know if I remember their numbers or not, but if you got a phone, maybe I could call and talk to them for a minute."

"Sure, I have a phone you can use, " Tim said reaching into his pocket and handing it to Scott.

Scott grabbed it, hesitantly, never taking his eyes off of Tim's face. He was trying to read him, like he did before out in the street.

"Anything else?" Tim asked.

"Yeah, if you wouldn't mind giving me your debit card and pin number. I would like to go out into the mall and get some clothes to wear to my job interview." Scott said with a laugh. "Really, just the phone is fine."

"No, no," Tim said as he reached into his wallet. "If this will show you, really prove to you that I trust you, here." He laid the credit card down on the table. "The pin number is 3749. You got that or you need me to write it down."

"You live on the street as long as I have and you can't forget much. I got it." Scott never touched the card, and he never took his eyes off of Tim's face.

A silence hung over their table for what seemed like close to an hour. Finally Scott, jumped up from the table and grabbing the card and looked Tim in the eyes. "You serious about this."

"Go call you family and get yourself some clothes. I'll be here."

"Thank you Tim." He offered out his hand. "I'll be back in a half hour."

Twenty minutes had passed, and Tim was starting to question what he had done. Scott was a complete stranger, a homeless man that he had never before met in his life. A homeless man that now had his credit card and his phone. Panic rose up in him. Then he heard a quite voice whisper, "Trust in me."