Beautiful eyes and a kind face

This story is long overdue, in fact if my friend Tom were to write it the words would be more eloquent...

Warren and I were headed off to the beach over Memorial Day weekend with some friends. This was the first time we had ever left the girls like this so naturally there was some apprehension. This got off to a great start and conversation was effortless.

At the half way mark, we stopped at a gas station / Wendy's combo. for something to eat. Being carsick dictated that I needed something salty and a coke - not that I'm high maintenance at all...

As we were walking in I noticed an old, very used but still in great condition, Army duffel bag laying next to the door. My mind began to wonder....a motor cycle rider? Someone hitching a ride up 95 with a trucker?

Everyone headed straight to the bathroom, but I went to stand in line...the coke was calling.

As I stood alone I saw him. He had the kindest eyes I'd ever seen and his blond hair was full of curls that any woman with straight hair would kill for! And he was dirty. Not dirty from lack of bathing, but road grim. I knew who the owner of the duffel bag was. He met my gaze and I smiled. He smiled back a little tentatively. I don't know what the hold up was in the bathrooms, but the line to the counter was moving quickly and neither Warren nor our friends were out of the bathroom so I stepped aside and let people pass.

I offed to let "kind eyes" pass, but he declined. Said he was waiting for someone too...

My "posse" finally appeared and we ordered. I kept watching "kind eyes" to see if his companion ever showed up, but no one did. As Warren was filling paper ketchup bowls I whispered to him that we needed to buy the man dinner. Warren asked who I was talking about and I met "kind Eyes" gaze again and smiled and said "him". I started to walk toward him, but Warren called my back and said he would take care of it. He didn't want me to go offer some deranged serial killer dinner. I knew the man would never hurt me. His eyes told it all. And his smile was so gentle. Warren went over and began talking with the man, quickly putting him at ease as is his way and I went to sit down with our friends.

When Warren joined us he was upset that he hadn't noticed the man himself, but was thankful that we had helped him. I was thankful Warren was my husband. He didn't laugh or scoff at my suggestion, but followed through with an open heart. We blessed the meal and lifted a special prayer for "kind eyes" in his journey.

As we ate, "Kind eyes" met my gaze and offered his thanks. I wanted to invite him over to eat with us and still regret that I didn't. Before we left I refilled my coke and walked past him (which was my intention) so that I could offer him one last smile. He looked up, with his eyes fully of love and said "thank you" I just gave a smiling nod and said "be safe". I hope my smile radiated all of the love that was bursting from my heart for this man.

As I think about this man still I wish I would have hugged him good-bye. I hope my eyes and smile did this for me. I think about him often and wonder where he is. I hope he finds others to help him. I know when he said he was waiting for someone he was waiting for me. I hope the others he is waiting for will notice him beyond the clothing and road grime.

His beautiful eyes and kind smile still haunt me. But not in a bad way, rather they comfort me. I know he was Jesus. I know he was there to say I needed you here and you came. I thought about him all weekend away from the girls and knew I could not have served this man if I wouldn't have left them.

I saw God that day.