The Guitar Man

"The transformational journey is a lifelong journey that begins with a change of heart and leads to a changed perspective, a changed leadership process, and changed personal practice. It is lived out on a daily basis, with a sense of purpose and expectancy as the servant leader joins God in the work He is doing in the world. How are you living and leading today in light of eternity?" 

Lead Like Jesus, a Blanchard ministry

 

When you are dealing with a frustrating person, try to have a ministry mindset and remember that something is bothering them inside which is making them that way. Are they stressed, hurt, grieving, depressed? Think about how to help them turn to Christ to find healing inside. A ministry mindset will melt your anger toward that person, so you don’t explode with fiery words that will wound not just their heart, but yours and God’s. From the Devotional Time With God

November 5, 2013, on a Tuesday I posted this to Facebook. . .

To all who show such an interest in the Bridge Ministry but cannot help, OH, but you can! I believe the backbone of any ministry is prayer. Would you consider making it a habit each Tuesday to pray for this ministry, for the guests who show up and for all the volunteers. That the Lord would do a mighty work in each of us out there and as volunteers, that no matter what the circumstances, we would have the mind of Christ. That the love of Christ would touch whoever out there needs a touch from Him and that we would all be sensitive to that need. And for provisions to be met whether that be monetary or other. Thank you so much sweet people! I'm thanking God for all of you!

 

This man at the bridge told me last night that he and I have lived two completely different lives. Later in the conversation he told me about a fear. This man used to scare me, I did not like him and I avoided him for weeks. Awhile back, God told me to go talk with him. After I stomped my foot a couple of times, I went. Guitar man and I talked about many things. He said again how different our lives were and I told him the ground is level at the foot of the cross and he teared up on me. He wanted to hear that again, and so I repeated, "The ground is level at the foot of the cross."  He thanked me sincerely and then played for me.

 

We continued to talk as he softly played his beautiful music. He asked me to throw a scripture at him. I did. I asked him to throw one at me. He did. We did this a couple of more times. We laughed. I shared with him what God's Word says about fear. He listened. He nodded.

 

He put the guitar up as people were starting to leave. He looked far off and then at me and said,

"I wish I could do something for God but. . .I can't do anything." I told guitar man,

"You've been playing beautiful, soothing, peaceful music the whole time we've been talking. You come back here each Tuesday and play for God. That will honor Him and it will bless all of us out here." He stepped back and said, "Really!"

"Yes, Really!"

 

As we got up to part ways, I turned to him and said sincerely, "Thank you.". He came up to me, touched my arm gently and with tears in his eyes, he said, "No, thank you.". 

It was a wonderful time! I'm so glad I listened to God and not my own fear. The man seemed convicted and very moved. I know I sure was. . .moved AND convicted! I walked away trembling inside and thanking God for making me move when I didn't want to. I asked you all a week or so ago to commit to praying for this ministry on Tuesdays. I could FEEL them this night. Thank you! 

Then LeeAnn, one of our volunteer nurses wrote this to me. . .

 

  Guitar Man had rubbed me the wrong way for months. I thought he was abrasive, rude to Janice and harsh with other guests. I avoided him a lot. I prayed about my response to him and one of the nights we did the survey- I made a point to go talk to him. He was isolated on the bridge and I spent the most amazing 30 minutes talking to him! He is a passionate believer and a proud vet. Both of those character traits speak to me! We now have a friendship that I treasure- he asked me to sit with him for a few minutes tonight so he could play the guitar. He hugs me and even started coming to our VA clinic! God changed my heart for him- he is a tough guy, with a soft heart- and I love Goliath too. (his dog) 

I found out later from LeeAnn that Guitar Man is a vet and he had lost the love of his life, his wife of 20 years to cancer. The beautiful music he was playing was a song he had written for her.

 

LeeAnn and I had a changed perspective, a changed heart because we decided to look him in the eyes and look not with our own human retinas but with those of Jesus. It's amazing how things look different through those lenses. 

 

The next day I was listening to Beth Moore in the car as I was going into town and she made this statement (not about homeless but just people in general). . ."Dignify them by noticing them." I cried out to myself in the car saying, This is what I've been writing about for the last two years. Yes, notice them, talk to them, listen to them, show they are worthy to be heard, share the incredible love we have received with all who God brings into our path, even if they are hard ones to love. Who knows what has hardened them. But Jesus love can soften, melt and dissolve that hardness. Not only can a transformation happen with them, but it can happen for us, just like it did for me and Lee Ann with guitar man, tough guy with a soft heart. The blessings come not only for them, but for you and me who get to watch it happen right in front of our eyes.

Next time God tells me to move towards someone, I will not stomp my foot.