Oh Joye! God is good!
Joye approached us today.
We were at a table in the park on the Esplanade, in front of the community center.
Jay, Crys and I were just finishing our pizza when he came over.
I was thinking about the birds (I swear they’re following me) that were harassing us with their chirping and pecking when he materialized.
He greeted us and asked me if I were a Christian.
I told him I was baptized and a follower of Christ but am no longer a member of any church.
He said “You’re a smart woman. I knew.”
He told me how he fasts everyday for 24 hrs and that as a Christian himself he fasts differently than Moslems. That as a Christian he must break his fast with bread, pizza being the optimal fast breaker.
He told me he is a studied man with pedigrees in several areas including fitness and health, he believes he has honed this breaking of the fast into an art.
I nodded and smiled, knowing exactly what he was going to ask me next.
“You see my current state?” he says, pointing at his shoes “I am poor.”
I say “Yes. I see.”
“Would you be able to buy me a slice of pizza to break my fast?” he asks humbly.
Being in a state of dire straits myself, I was tempted to say as much, but instead gave him the few dollars I had deciding the girls and I could do the walk home.
He thanked me and began to walk away. He turned back suddenly and said “Your faith is strong. I know you will be caught up in the rapture.”
I smiled and said “Really, how do you know that?”
He said ask me anything about the book of Revelation.
I guess my blank look prompted him to start talking politics.
He pointed out past, present and future world political events that are foretold in this scripture. Told me we are in the opening of the second seal and the next will be famine. He told me what the imagery meant. He recited chapter and verse verbatim (I opened Bible Gateway). He had me read verses from Daniel, Ezekiel and Isaiah to corroborate new testament verses.
I wish I had recorded his lesson.
As he closed, he talked about water and that the only way man can be considered to enter into our Father’s kingdom was to be baptised. In fact the scriptures stated one MUST be baptised and receive the Holy Spirit. He proved it by the scriptures.
He said he sees the spirit moving within me and knows that I had accepted the blood of the Lamb. That I am “saved”. That I am chosen.
(Last week Mother Matrix, a homeless trans woman also told me I was chosen. When I asked for what, she said I was the cosmic deity chosen to resurrect the matrix.)
While Joye and I sat and parlayed, me on the bench, he on the ground, legs easily crossed and back straight, I studied him.
I couldn’t say he was old, no lines or gray, but I wouldn’t say he was young either. Clear intelligent brown eyes sparkled beneath heavy brows.
Lightly kinked, dark hair slightly balding on top, brown skin and accent suggesting his origins.
His shoes were busted brown Florsheim wingtips. His pants, black ski pants ripped and frayed where it dragged on the ground. He had a white towel draped over his head and a dirty knee length tan trench buttoned to his chin, all under a navy blue blazer thrown somewhat carelessly over his shoulders.
As he spoke in closing, he reminded me that where ever two or more gathered in His name, His spirit was there as well.
This moved me. To tears.
I don’t know why.
He stood up as he ended his lesson. We shook hands and I thanked him for sharing his knowledge with me.
I asked him his name.
He said “J.O.Y.E. Joye.”
Jay and Crys had long since abandoned me to the park and new found friends. I called them to gather their things.
I turned back and he was gone.
Oh Joye. Thanks. Again. Those were tears of Joye.
God is Good! Every time!
Stay blessed.
BTW, I found a token and didn’t have to walk home.
What are the chances?
