Speed Limit:

45 mph

Current speed?

0 mph

Why? Because I'm sitting behind the short-bus. It has stopped every 35 feet along my entire route to Target. It's riders slowly depart. Over and over.

As friends have strongly suggested that knitting while driving is probably not a good idea... I'm. just. waiting. Noah and I sing along to the radio. (I forget that the sunroof is open, and I'm giving quite a show to anyone around to hear)

In an attempt to maintain my "Oh so cool" reputation. (Yeah, right) I stop singing, and I start to watch. We roll 35 more feet and I see a tall hoodlum standing at the roadside. His head is shaved. His jeans are black with curious white patches. (G-unit- I'm sure but are they bleach speckled or what? Not sure...) His shirt sports a picture that I can't describe here. I can (unfortunately) tell what brand of boxers he's wearing. (That much of them is showing) His sparkling head is adorned with a "bluetooth" headset. He's talking on the phone.

I assume he's "working." Whatever that means.

I wonder why on earth he's standing at the curb.

The bus rolls to a gentle stop.

A sweet faced ( and equally bald) widely grinning, young rider departs the bus. His hands are raised, waving wildly. He is so excited he can't control them. He shuffle steps to the edge of the first bus step. He nearly totters over from the weight of his overstuffed backpack. He is met at the step by the hoodlum.

The hoodlum gently reaches up and removes the backpack. He places it on his own strong back. He smiles with a warmth and love that is rare and full of joy. He takes the hand of the grinning boy- who is may be challenged, physically and cognitively but is clearly not challenged in the area of love. The hoodlum leads him home.

It is the most gentle act I have witnessed in...well, I don't know how long.

It makes me wonder so many things:

I wonder if an outsider would have seen the same scene when Christ found me....and removed my backpack of sin, guilt, shame....all the crap I was carrying, and gently led my spiritually challenged self home...

I wonder when the last time was, that I was that gentle?

I wonder if I could be that gentle.

I wonder how many times I've misjudged based on appearances?

I wonder if I had seen a father and son? A friend? A caregiver?

I wonder at gentleness being strength under control.

I wonder at the gentleness of God.

I sit in wonder until a horn sounds behind me....

Jolted back to reality, I realize the short bus is gone... I'm blocking traffic.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things
there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful
nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us
keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and
envying each other." Galatians 5:22-26

I think, I saw a glimpse of Jesus- from behind the shortbus.