It's easy for me to slip into a melancholy mood. In fact I have to make a daily concerted effort to rise above the haunt of 'gloomies'. One person told me, "You are just in touch with your inner self. People with a draw toward 'the arts' seem to be pensive and at times, withdrawn." I wasn't sure how I felt about being categorized as "artsy" and "pensive" but I passed it off. (At least it didn't depress me!) I feel I am very successful at hiding any Danny Downer feelings and to date, I feel quite fortunate that I haven't found it necessary to use any mood elevators to keep me socially viable. I don't condemn it. I create my own serotonin and endorphins with exercise. I mention this personal struggle because life's experience has afforded me the opportunity to meet many, many people that, for whatever reason, are much more susceptible to 'a dark side' than most people realize. In a past blog I have written about the acronym H.A.L.T. (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) which, when experienced, make us all more susceptible to gloom. This blog touches on the darkness but climbs out of the proverbial pits and puts my face to the Son.
Yesterday I decided to do my jogging routine at the local park. It was an awesome day! The sun was shining on ME, the birds were encouraging ME to get started and there was just enough breeze to keep ME cool as I ran. (See, it was all about me!) Just before I started I noticed a young(er) guy sitting on the tailgate of his truck. As I passed by he was the first to say hello. "AWESOME day isn't it? God bless. Have a great day."
I was briefly surprised at the "God bless" part. As I passed, for some odd reason I felt impressed to chat with him and so I did. Understand, I was very guarded. Society seems to have cultivated that trait in us. He had an extremely cheery disposition and was very talkative. I wanted to leave but he continued chatting. I started looking for my exit.
He said, "I love coming to this park because it has a lot of open space and long jogging trails." Okay, enough I thought.
"Well, I need to get jogging." Then he asked me if I wanted to have a brief prayer. I was a bit offended at first. Not at him but more at me! I thought to my self, Who is this guy that he offers to pray with strangers? Who am I that I didn't offer. He prayed. briefly. I did not. I was still in shock that there were rogue-prayer-people at the park! It crossed my mind that this guy was an angel, sent to encourage me. I was thinking, I'd start jogging and turn to take one last look and.... he'd be gone. Then I noticed he had a half sleeve tattoo on each arm, peeking out from under his longer short-sleeve shirt. Tattoos have always intrigued me; both why people get them and where they put them. I am not a fan of tattoos but I have learned that in all situations and especially behind every tattoo, there's quite a story. I'm not the type of guy that tends to feel comfortable asking ANY other man about his body but..... we had just prayed so I felt more comfortable about asking him about them. He pulled up his sleeve and said, "Brother, don't ever get a tattoo. They are painful, time consuming (these took a few weeks a piece), expensive (about $900 each) and my arms swelled up every time I went to the shop. It was a stupid thing for me to do. Don't EVER get one. Some people think I got these back in my drinkin' days but no, sad to say, I was sober at the time. I do have a drinkin' problem. I'm an alcoholic but I have been sober for eight years now!"
I congratulated him on his sobriety but was still thinking, NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS!! WOW! Then I remembered some friends and their battle with booze. Those thoughts quickly slipped away when he said, "I've been a pastor for several years now and I am glad to say Jesus Christ is my Savior."
That was it.... I couldn't let that pass and so with all the diplomacy I could muster I said, "You're a pastor?"
"Yes, it surprises a lot of people; mostly because of the tattoos. These happened in another life. I am a marked man. I could have them removed but I can't afford it. I carry a different mark now. Jesus Christ is tattooed on my heart." I thanked him and said. "Christ is tattooed on my heart too." He then got in his truck and drove off. I paid extra attention to see if he disappeared into an ethereal rolling mist or if he began to rise into the air. He did not. However, he did drive a crimson red chariot! I couldn't help but think: WOW! A tattooed-alcoholic-pastor! Life is sure full of surprises!
Are you facing a situation that seems dark today? Are you jogging down the wrong path? Remember that the Son will shine brighter on YOU as YOU seek His truth and righteousness in every situation. Be in the right standing with God. Submit your life to Him. Obey His commands and daily seek His plan for your life. Seek Him and the light of God's Word will guide you in every decision. No matter how you might be feeling today or what you are facing, ask the Lord to shine His light on YOU. Ask Him to confirm His plan for you. As you continue pursuing His truth and righteousness, as you continue to make His Word a priority in your life, you will experience more of His blessings. You WILL see those brighter days as you move forward in the good plan He has in store for you! You WILL NOT have the same experience as ANYONE else, you might not be encouraged by a Tattooed-Alcoholic-Pastor BUT you will have 'ANOTHER LIFE'!! God bless you! ~Pray!
