off the curb. I smiled. Jesus Freak? What kind of an insult is that? If
anything, I looked more like an elf in my green jeans and red turtleneck
vested in Santa Bears. He couldn't have seen the small pin stuck in my collar
that read, "Jesus is the reason for the season." I laughed as I walked to my
car, he must be having a bad shopping day! Somebody must have got
his Furby.
Just as I approached my car the man who had yelled out at me rounded the
aisle of the parking lot in his car. I paused for a moment as he slowly
approached me. He lowered his window.
"Uh, I'm sorry I yelled at you. You shouldn't just step off the curb like
that! I almost hit you."
"Had I seen you whipping around trying to divebomb into that parking space,
I wouldn't have dared step from the curb."
"I said I was sorry." He looked like he meant it, too.
"Okay, I accept your apology." I replied. "So like what kinda insult is
calling someone a 'Jesus Freak'?"
"I dunno, it just came outta my mouth. I don't even know much about Jesus.
I couldn't help notice your clothing, you just look... well..."
"Like an elf," I finished his sentence.
We both laughed and the man went his way as I climbed into my car. I found
it curious someone admittedly didn't know much about Jesus.
I turned over my engine, looked over my shoulder, the man who had yelled at
me looked as if he were waiting for my parking space. As I pulled out, he did
not pull in, but fell behind me. Oddly, I felt no fear.
I pulled into the parking lot in front of the grocery store, I could see the
same car in my rear view mirror. This time I selected a parking space near
the front entrance of the store. I waited for the man to park. Last week a
woman was found in her trunk gagged and bound with duct tape in the Promenade
Shopping Mall. As far as I knew the creep hadn't been caught yet.
I thought about driving off. Oh man! The song played in my head, "...and I
will make you fishers' of men if you follow me, if you follow me..." Right.
He met me on the sidewalk where I was pulling out a shopping cart under an
eave decorated in red and white candy cane stripes. "Um, remember me? The
one who yelled at you? But, uh, then apologized."
"Are you following me? This is pepper spray on my keychain." I lifted up
my keys and pointed at the cylinder, "and I want you to know I have used it
before, and the guy did not appreciate it." (I accidently sprayed my husband
while I was showing him how it worked, but I didn't tell the stranger that part.)
"You won't need it, I promise," he said. "I don't know what compelled me,
I swear I never follow girls like this, it's not really safe, you know? Look
who I'm telling, I suppose you know that. Anyway," he rambled, "I just wanted
to know more about uhm..."
"Jesus?"
"How'd you know?" he asked.
"I just had a feeling. I have to market, follow me," I gestured with my
hand.
The stranger and I entered the store pushing the cart past a beautiful
display of holiday sweets. "Go get me a box of those candy canes," I
directed.
I opened the package and handed him one. "I can tell you the story of Jesus
with this piece of candy while I shop. White is the symbol of purity, fresh
like a blanket of new powdered Spring snow that covers drab and dead things,
washes away winter dirt. By asking Jesus to come into our lives He washes
away dead works, filth in our hearts and minds, we become fresh and new, too."
I picked out some vine ripe tomatoes and a head of lettuce.
"The red is for the blood He shed at Calvary where He died on the cross for
our sins, the stripes are reminders of the stripes on His back where he was
beaten. We don't need to beat ourselves up over things we realize we did
wrong. Jesus already took the beating, and paid the ultimate price. All we
have to do is repent and pray for forgiveness in His name."
I threw two loaves of bread into the basket and continued down the aisle to
find peanut butter.
"The candy is in the shape of a cane as a reminder to lean on Jesus when we
are tired and weary, when the burdens we carry become too heavy. Turn the
cane upside down, it is the letter 'J' for Jesus. Finally, the candy is
sweet, and the peppermint flavor is refreshing. That's how it feels to know
Jesus is with me."
The man stared at the candy cane and tears welled in his eyes. He said
nothing as he followed me through the aisles of the market, clutching his
piece of candy.
The stranger helped me unload my groceries into my car, I gave him the box
of candy canes to take with him, and wished him a Merry Christmas. Before he
turned and walked away I saw him looking at the small pin on my shirt and
quietly heard him read, "Jesus is the reason for the season."
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