For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3
I want to tell you about a very special friend I once had, Michael. Michael was old school black. By that I mean: He was funny, he was kind, he was wise and he loved Jesus. We had friendship chemistry. We got each others’ jokes, we could talk forever. Always talked longer than we had time for and we never ran out of things to talk about. He was one of my favorite people I have ever known in my entire life.
My dog Bruno loved Michael, too. If I saw him outside tending to things, we’d make our way across the street so Michael could brighten our day. Even if it was just for a minute.
We were almost the same age. We were both experiments of the bussing in the 70s. Michael, a black boy and me, a white girl. His neighborhood school was the worst school in the city, academically and his mom wanted him to go to the best school in the city. He was one of the only black kids at that school and might have been the only one. He was on the baseball team and he had a lot of friends there. They all went their separate ways after high school and stayed somewhat in touch. I know those families and those kids at that school. Most all of them ended with fancy careers, fancy lives.
Michael lived in his apartment with his girlfriend. Big extended family, but no kids himself. And his career? Michael worked two jobs. He worked at the church across the street as the Caretaker, his earlier job in the day, and his other, later job was at a custodial company where he worked 7p to 3a. His body was worn, he smoked and had ailments. Life was hard for Michael.
After a breakup with his girlfriend she took all the furnishings when he was away at work. Both what he had before and what they acquired together, even his bed. She didn’t even leave him a chair.
When I was remembering this, I didn’t offer any of my furniture. I did care, but I honestly didn’t even think about offering mine, even though I had excess. Michael would have. He would’ve given you the shirt off his back, literally.
Michael died very prematurely. I still live across the street from the church. His absence is strong. I think of him often.
When my dog Bruno died, Jesus showed me Himself carrying Bruno in His arms and setting him down inside the gates of heaven. I know he ran to find Michael and they will be two of the first beings I see.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luke 16:25
I think of Michael when I hear the story of Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom. Michael’s life was hard and he wasn’t a perfect man, like any of us, but he is with Jesus and he’s there and we’re here and we haven’t made it yet. So, let us not consider ourselves more highly than we ought and remember that God loves us even though we are imperfect souls. Let us not take grace for granted and keep pressing forward to fulfill our purpose here on earth.
“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11:11