The smallest of details, even possibly the least remembered
ones, He knows how to use. One such
occasion came recently when I met a man in the hospital. Dealing with bad news from his doctor, this
man couldn’t help but spill his guts. He
paused a moment to gather his words, and then his voice shook to tell of his
hospital stay being lengthened. His eyes
brimming with teardrops, he began to recount yesterday’s agony. It was heartbreaking, and I soon realized a
layer of anger buried inside his agony and underneath. Our conversation resisted veering too far
from his subject of health. But then suddenly
his eyes lifted, as hope seemed to have spoken.
I had mentioned being born at Tachikawa Air Force Base, and upon that
comment, a new-found energy almost leaped him out of the wheelchair. Practically in disbelief, he double-checked
my words, “You were at Tachi?” I smiled,
“Yes.” He added with vigor, “I used to
play ball there! I was a photographer
most of my days, but then we played ball!”
From there, his countenance moved only forward, as he was entirely elated
to revisit these fond memories. I spoke
simply some facts, particularly a detail of my life that doesn't even make
conversation regularly, yet the Lord blessed the words that their purpose would
soar far higher than fact. With His
touch, they lifted a man’s spirit, and we did acknowledge the Lord’s presence
before parting ways. I look now with different eyes at the childhood kimono hanging in my closet, considering how we pray for the Lord
to guide our steps and our words, and indeed He does.
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