“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”(Hebrews 13:2)
I walked in to have coffee at McDonald’s and saw a very unusual young man stroll in. He appeared to be homeless, but more youthful than other wanderers that I had seen. A stuffed pink heart hung from a string on his backpack. Small teddy bears clung to his shoelaces and a large seashell dangled from a cord around his waist. Hearts were painted on the outer edges on his black-rimmed glasses.
I overheard him asking someone for money for food, and heard another man speaking to him. I handed him a dollar. He waited in line to get breakfast, and then sat in a corner with his tray. I paid for my coffee and sat down on the other side of the dining area, but I wanted to approach the young man. I was apprehensive because he looked so different, but I finally walked over and said hello, and asked him how he was doing. He nervously handed me a small photo of himself, which I found rather odd, and I sat down to visit. He told me that his name was Luke.
His fingernails were painted black with pink hearts on the index fingers, so whenever he pointed at anything, I saw them. He began to show me a scrapbook that he was keeping with cutout photos and clippings and handwritten notes. I began to turn the pages and saw poems scribbled here and there and pieces of torn paper and small paintings. I felt as if I was reading into his soul. His artistic drive was apparent, and I was happy as he began to talk.
“There are so many negative things in the world,” he said. “I cut out articles from newspapers and magazines that represent evil things, and then I write or draw something that offers a possible solution.” He took a pair of scissors and a glue stick from his pocket and quickly cut out a picture from the paper, then dabbed some glue on it and stuck it in one of his sketchbooks.
“I am amazed how God always provides for me. I scarcely think of something I need before I receive it. The other night as I fell asleep in the park, I thought of how nice it would be to have a bicycle. When I woke up, there was a bike just laying there with no one around. People should trust God more than they do.”
As we talked a man came over and handed him a few dollars. After the man left, Luke turned to me and said, “Could you use some of this money?”
“No thank you,” I said.
Luke leaned his chin on his hand thoughtfully, and said, “If we receive things, we should also give, because we must keep the cycle of grace flowing. We should not cut off the grace by our selfishness.”
Then he began to tell me that people often seem offended by his presence and act as if they despise him for no reason. “I am kind to everyone and I’m no threat, but people act like they hate me for no reason, just for existing. People have trouble with anyone who is free and is not ensnared by the world.”
“That is because when we love others and are not attached to the worldly system, we will be despised like Jesus was,” I replied. “The Devil can’t stand to lose control of anyone.”
“You’re very advanced,” said the young man.
I mentioned to him that I had written my story and many stories about others in my manuscripts, but they are not published. He suddenly said, “But they will be. I assure you.”
“May I write about you too?” I inquired.
“Of course,” he answered.
He stroked his thick black hair for a moment and stated, “I have a word for you. You are a midwife and a healer. You have the ability to nurture children until they are ready to survive on their own.” I was quite surprised and said, “That’s odd. Someone told me before that I am a spiritual mother who can labor and birth children into the kingdom of God, and nurture them. You are my confirmation.”
“Wow, that’s heavy” he said.
“Luke, you have a great mind and a pure heart,” I said. “Is your mother like you?”
“My mother is very intelligent and is very easy to talk to. She is a midwife.” I perceived that I reminded him of his mother. I told him it was encouraging to see a young man speak well of his mother.
“I try in my own way to offset some of the evil and darkness around me,” he replied. “Most people my age talk about the terrible things happening in their families and in the world, but they don’t try to fix anything. These little hearts I wear are just symbols of the love I am trying to spread.
“A huge demonic invasion occurred in the seventies and this is why young people have it worse than ever before. Some people made deals with Satan before they were even born and have already lost their souls. Some people are fallen angels, and many of them are in our government.”
I answered, “We are on the verge of a spiritual awakening and you young people will lead us into it, because your minds are still pure and they have not been polluted by money and ambition. You still see God in terms of Spirit instead of in terms of an institution.”
We discussed how the sacred things of God have been ruined by capitalism and greed. “Jesus did not teach capitalism”, Luke said.
“You are right”, I answered. “I have to leave now, but this has been wonderful.” We grasped hands tightly before parting.
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