It was a clear and cloudless evening in Chattanooga as I
strolled to the corner market to get treats for my friends who
were working at Stir, my favorite restaurant in town.
“Can you spare some change?” a voice asked from below.
Looking at the sunset above in that moment, I did not see him.
When I finally looked down, it was the voice of a homeless
man, weary from hopelessness, laying on the sidewalk with his
head resting on the grass in a physically defeated way. Yet he
had a bright smile, and it was radiant and exuded hope.
“I have no cash right now,” I replied. “I am actually working
on credit,” It was a ruse, a lie, because many homeless people
try to con me, but not all.
“Even a banana would be appreciated,” he said.
“Banana? I’ll see what I could do.” His smile glistened. He
recognized something in me. Or so I thought.
Just then I was transported to the moon. Not by my own
volition, but by Jesus. This is the first time that ever happened. I
was stunned.
“David,” Jesus said, “why did you not help that poor man?”
“Because I didn’t know if he what he needed was real, or if
he was a charlatan and just wanted cash.”

“Haven’t I always preached, ‘feed the hungry’, ‘give shelter
to the homeless’, ‘heal the sick’?”
“Yes. You have. And I try to live that way.”
“Then at least get him a banana.”
“You guilted me, so I will try. But I don’t know where to get
a banana right now.”
“No, I did not guilt you. I reminded you of that which you
already know.”
He smiled, and suddenly, after just ten seconds, not thirty, I
was back on the street, standing tall as the homeless man still
laid on concrete stone.
“I turned my head and you were gone in a flash,” the
homeless man said. “How’d you do that?”
“It’s complicated.” I replied. “Stay here. I don’t think the
store sells bananas, but I think somehow, somewhere, I can get
you one. I’ll try my best.”
“Thank you for trying.”
One thing I knew is that I was not above him, nor he below
me. His situation was his inevitable fate, but his destiny still
awaited, waiting to be written.
When I walked into the corner store, I was shocked. The
first thing I saw was a basket that held a bunch of bananas. I
knew it was not a coincidence. Happenstance does not exist. I
chose to bring him not one but three bananas, then added some
chocolate bars, a bottle of water as well as some Gatorade.

When I walked back to the homeless man, I sat down right
next to him.
“I found a banana!” I exclaimed, as I handed three to him.
“I only asked for one.”
Then I handed him the other gifts I had. As I was doing so, I
discretely threw a $20 dollar bill in the weeds behind him.
“I saw that,” he said.
“Saw what?” I replied, pretending he didn’t notice.
“You are an angel, a gift from the Lord. I was told I would
meet someone like you today, and so today you came, as I was
told. And you are still unaware of that, and the power and love
that lie within you.”
“I’m starting to remember and embrace it.”
“You were sent to me by the Lord tonight.”
“Why do you say that?”
“My eyesight is fading, my legs are weak, but I can still feel
your energy, your knowing, your power. And it is good. I think He
spoke to you recently.”
I paused for a moment. Did he know? How could he? Then I
said this.
”If I were to tell you I just spoked to Jesus tonight, would
you think I was weird, or what I say was the Truth?”
“The Truth. I know you did.”
“How?”

“I would not have received these gifts if it was not for Him.
You were just His messenger.”
“What is your name?”
“Charleston.”
“Charleston, I am David. My friends call me ‘Sahadi’. But I’d
rather you call me friend.”
“Friend. I like that!”
I sat with Charleston for fifteen minutes. I heard his story. It
was one of both triumph and tribulations. Mostly distress. But it
was also sprinkled with hope, possibility and a belief that better
days were ahead.
“David, the greatest gift you gave me were not the bananas,
nor the chocolates, but your time. You sat down beside me and
didn’t judge. As I talked, you listened.”
“Thank you. I am in the process of learning how to intently
listen.”
“You are already beyond that. Remember that. And I will see
you again some other day, on the other side of a dream, because
you are a kindred spirit, and kindred spirits always meet again, in
one form or another, this lifetime or the next.”
“That would be a welcome pleasure. ”
“Now go and give those gifts to your friends who are
working at that restaurant you like. They need you now more
than I do.”
“Really?”

“Yes. They are young and they are lost. Help them find the
way.”
I shook his hand then said goodbye. And I was reminded of
this: Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s
face. Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and
resentment? Did I forgive? Did I listen? Did I love?
These are the real questions. These are things I try my best
to do every day.