I heard this staccato phone message at my office, just before I headed home after services on Sunday:
“Name: Rick. Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx. Terminal cancer. Missouri Synod Lutheran. Call me.”
The message was left at about 9:20 on that Sunday morning. Guess he didn’t think I’d be busy at that time.
Yes, I called him today. I called out of duty rather than compassion. I’ve gotten calls like this before. The conversations usually head in the direction of needing some financial help.
I caught him at work, roofing a house. While his condition was terminal, he was making a go of it and actually doing a little better. He’d soon be moving to Palm Coast, would be heading back to church, and could I meet him to talk. I didn’t realize he was a few towns away, so it would have to be tomorrow.
I’ll probably spend most of my time with him listening to his story. And I may give him a little money. I am pretty sure I won’t ever see him at church. This will be one off those ministry moments that will bring me in touch with someone I won’t see at church, but need to know about. The world is filled with people in that situation, most of whom I will never get to know. So here is my chance to learn a little about life from another point of view.
I’ll let you know what happens.
