True story: I was commuting home this evening. While waiting on the 2nd bus to arrive, I briefly glanced at the time: 5:13 pm. Good. This gives me a few minutes to continue reading a book by Neal A. Lester titled Ntosake Shange: A Critical Study of the Plays (1995). I was happy I’d get home before it got dark. I was surprised to see that I was the only one at the bus stop.
In any case while waiting, a man in his mid-30s, maybe late 30s approached me. There was nothing threatening about him. No warning as to whether this encounter was ethereal, spiritual, other-worldly, spooky, ET-ish, demonic or even angelic. No goose pimples, hair raising, back tingling, nothing. It was simply ordinary.
He was of medium built, a bit taller than me but most people are considering I’m 5’2″ (and 3/4 according to my PCP), pleasant face, of a darker complexion than I am, African American, wearing dark bluish-blackish jeans, black t-shirt neatly tucked in, belt, black pro-keds or converse sneakers with white shoestrings. It’s a habit for me to take in all the details, that’s just me. In any case, I would recognize him if I should ever meet him again.
“Pardon me miss. Don’t mean to disturb you….” (pause). I waited patiently while he gathered his thoughts, looking at him intently with my head somewhat leaning to the right trying to block out rays from the sunset in the western sky. “But do you know when the next bus will arrive?” I replied “sure, it should be here in about 5-7 minutes.” He thanked me with a slight bow and nod of his head and sat down on the bench behind me.
I turned my attention back to the book in my hand, then turned to look again at the brother. He was gone! Whoa, where did he go? I took my eyes off of him for less than 5 seconds and just like that…he had vanished. I kid you not. I turned around in circles at least 3 times, looking in every direction…NO way! He had simply disappeared like a vapor of smoke.
I’m sure the drivers in the cars driving past me were looking at me like I was cra-zeee, especially after I shrugged my shoulders, and raised my hands to the heavens and started laughing out loud. Wow Lord, wow Universe, you got my attention. I’m not even going to question what this was about. I’m receptive to you Lord Jesus and I’m listening and watching and thankful.
I told my son and older daughter about my “encounter”. Dee first wanted to know if this was a supernatural experience which she avoids. She then said it’s an encounter of the third kind, laughing as she said it with a chuckle in her voice. Jay felt that it was a good experience as well and just smiled that smile that firstborns seem to have. Perhaps it’s for me to include in one of my next books…. hmmm.
My son and daughter reminded me of the scripture which states, “be careful how we treat strangers because we could be entertaining angels unaware.”
My twin sister Terri said the same thing – Hebrews 13:1-2 “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” She also said, every encounter with a person or situation is an opportunity to minister for the Lord God! Be encouraged! Seize the moment! Say God bless you! Smile! Give directions! To God be the glory! (Lol…maybe he just needed to know when the next bus would come by). Lol!
My friend Maria Lacayo said “I am sure that there are people around us who go by a whole day without having an interaction with another person…he approached you because in his heart you are a good person, and he knew you would not ignore him…“
All right…. I won’t sweat it…. but what do YOU think? What say YOU???