A Brother of Mine

     An unexpected friend

It was nearing the end of my work day. It was the point of day where we were having fun working as a team and were actively moving with the music that was playing over our sound system. With no regard to the message behind the music only the beat that was pushing us forward through the next hour or so.
        I brought a middle aged man back. He was balding and appeared to have a quiet personality. It’s not always awkward for me to began a conversation with a stranger but it took more initiative this time than normal. Being a dental assistant you find yourself in the position of a counselor. While waiting for the doctor to come into the room you find yourself with plenty of time for conversation. Imagine the dental chair as a reclined couch and me on my raised chair looking down asking questions about everyday life. Threatening to say the least. But through it all you have to maintain your professional side, so I began talking with him.
      “So, how was work today?” he rubbed his hands together and then folded them onto his lap. He briefly turned to look at me and then back at the wall. I often forget how young I am and don't realize that it might make some people uncomfortable.
       “It was good. Very busy though. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful to have a job. There are many unfortunate situations of unemployment in this town. People don’t care like they used to.”
       “Oh, I know. I’m very thankful for my job as well. I’ve learned so much while working here. The doctor trained me in my senior year of high school, actually.” I spoke quickly and kept a smile on my face. This time he looked at me for longer than five seconds.
       “You are different.” I was taken aback.. What did he mean? Was he commenting on my style of clothing? My now obvious energetic personality?
       “How so? A good different?” my forehead crinkled as my eyes became larger with concern.
       “I don’t know.” he shifted in his chair and i noticed a tattoo on his left forearm. It was in black ink and had a red swirling design around the end of it.  It was one word, “Romans”. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to draw attention to it, but i really wanted to, and sometimes it's hard for me to keep a filter.
      “What church do you attend?” I laughed nervously. “I’m sorry, I noticed your arm. It’s a great book in the bible, Romans is.” He rubbed the spot and an understanding came over his face. He seemed refreshed even encouraged. He rattled off a name of a first baptist church. “Is that how you came to Christ?” I had never before talked with a patient at work about his or her faith so openly. Actually I wasn't even sure if it was something encouraged. I stopped myself for a moment, “Could you tell me your testimony? I’m actually a Christian as well, I would love to hear!”
       “Of course.” He seemed at that moment to lose his awkwardness,  “See, I knew that you were. It’s amazing how God works in our lives and shines through us. To answer your question, I had quite the experience coming to know Jesus.. God was after me for years. He kept trying to pull me away from every sinful desire i wanted to fulfill. I was into drugs, alcohol, premarital sex, and committed crimes, I was almost arrested once. I hadn't ever read the bible. My parents left me to do what i wanted. They never knew what i was doing or where I was at. I loved the freedom! I thrived as a person. I slowly led myself to become an atheist. No god means no consequences.” He scratched his chin and sighed. “It makes me really happy that you decided to come to Christ at such a young age. I wish i had done the same, I really do.”
        I was excited. I had completely misjudged this man when I had first seen him and now he was adding encouragement to my day. Helping me focus my attention to my Savior. It was a rarity to meet someone who shared the same beliefs as i did in the area which i worked. “What was the turning point in your life?”
       “When I met my wife. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. I followed her around like a lost puppy. I asked her eleven times to go out with me before she said yes. There was something so different about her and I desperately wanted it and knew i needed it. She said i could go with her to her bible study. That was what i considered as our first date. It tore me up. It made me so confused. I was stubborn and didn’t want a God to interfere with the fun I was having in my life. I continued smoking marijuana with my buddies. But I still attended those bible studies to be close to her. She made it clear to me one night when I tried to kiss her that we weren’t dating and wouldn’t date because I wasn’t saved. I walked away that night so pained and disappointed. I found a bible the next day and read Romans with such a passion and eagerness. I read the whole book by the end of the day.”
        “What did you do next? Were you able to talk to anybody about what you read?”
        “Actually, I talked with her Dad, not knowing at the time who he was. He was the pastor of the church. I guess someone else was in charge of leading the bible study. He helped me see my sin and how i was so actively living against God.  The rest became history. His daughter went out on a real date with me and we were soon married. She now helps me lead our bible studies for troubled kids in the juvenile prison up the road.”
        I was overwhelmed. He had just shared so much of his life with me and all because he had first noticed something about me was different.. God had graciously allowed both of us to be encouraged by meeting each other. When he left that evening, I shook his hand. No one around knew why, or maybe they didn't even notice.

       Many months later, I saw the same man again and he continued to offer encouragement. I had only just stopped by the room that he was in and ushered a very welcome hello,
      “Hey!” He said with the same excitement.
I asked how he was doing and he answered rather pleasantly with a list of his ailments.
       “I’ve got so much back pain, and gall bladder issues, and i‘m just not as young as I used to be.” He looked at me intently and then with a smile, “But God still loves me!”
      “Oh, I’m sorry, I’ll pray for you, “ I said. I then stepped closer to him with a thankful expression, “You have no idea how encouraging it is too hear you so focused on God in the midst of your sufferings. And you’re right, he does love us! Praise God!”
       That’s when he surprised me, “No, It’s encouraging to me to know that I can speak to you about God and you understand. God is good.”
       I thanked God that day for allowing me to see Him at work in someone else. And I couldn't help remembering to pray for the man as I thought about him throughout my day.