It was the longest – and the grossest – hug I can remember.
Rob had had a terrible week. It was one of those times in life where nothing went as planned. He had hit rock bottom.
Ashamed of his addiction and his actions from the week, he approached me with tears in his eyes and snot dripping from his nose. His hair was sticking in every direction and he looked as if he had been electrocuted.
Rob had lost control and he didn’t know how to handle it.
No words were said, we just embraced. He started sobbing and put his head on my shoulder. We just stood there, friend embracing friend. Snot and tears running from Rob’s face onto my coat. A moment that a few months prior could have never been foreseen.
Before this moment, Rob never really needed anything from me, and talking with him was just a pleasant conversation.
He had a college education in architecture, wrestled at the Division I level, and didn’t need much from anyone. He would just come to our Lunches in the Park and thank us for the deeper meaning of our work; he understood it due to his past experiences in the working world.
My friendship with Rob was professional and cordial. We’d update each other on the past week’s happenings, and he’d fill me in on how the Denver Broncos games went – he was an on-the-field security guard.
At times I questioned why I was even talking with him, when so many other people in the park were thirsting for companionship. But this hug showed me exactly why I had “wasted” so much time with him during the past few months.
Rob wouldn’t have come to me in this big moment of pain if it weren’t for all of those mundane conversations before that developed our relationship. Taking the time to get to know him in these small interactions built up a trust that led him to seek me in his hour of need.
This proved to me that no moment with someone is ever useless or insignificant. The qualities of deep friendship come only after moments and hours “wasted” together.
We all need someone at some point in our lives.
Thank God for friends we can trust in those moments where no words can surface and no words are needed. And thank God for all of the little moments that create those friendships.
Blake is from Hastings, NE. He served as a missionary with Christ in the City from 2015-2017 and is now on staff as the Director of College Outreach & Recruitment. He enjoys Husker football, Dr. Pepper, and long road trips.
Wonderful!
How blessed both of you are to have this friendship.
Blake
That was so awesome and applies to so many of us who often don’t listen especially when we know there is pain in others lives.
Can’t wait to get back to Wednesday’s in the Park ,
God bless you all for who you are and thanks for sharing. Our lives are richer.
I am truly moved by all your dedication to the homeless. Thank you for all you do in the name of Jesus for the homeless in the Denver area. I live in the Omaha, Ne area and would love to move. to Colorado someday and work with your group. I’m a Registered Nurse and if there Is a need I could help in anyway please contact me.
Thank you,
God Bless you all
This title really caught my attention! The theme of the this post was not what I thought it would be, and I’m glad. In my prayer life lately, the way I “waste time” has been a constant topic (and aggravation) and admittedly I am a little grumpy with St. Joseph the Worker for not “fixing me”! (I pray to him a lot) Fortunately, I have learned that God works in His way not mine and is always there, I just can’t see it clearly most of the time.
I’m glad I took a moment to read this post as it was certainly not time wasted. I hope to take some of the time I do truly waste and engage in the three “What you can do” Items. I need it and my friends deserve it! So, here is to all the Snot, Tears and Hugs in our lives in all there many forms, may they make us better persons and better friends!
Amen! Everyone has a cross. And I think it’s awesome how if we stay close to Him in prayer, trying to confirm to His Will, He even guides our friendships like this.
God bless and carry on, Blake!
Worked with homeless kids in 1990, glad you’re doing what we did back then. The group we had in Houston are almost all back in touch via facebook! Praying you all will find the community and healing we shared with those kids nearly 30 years ago.