My 27-year young son-in-law (SIL) is Texas-sized height but not weight. He is an excellent tennis player, business man and still-working-on-it golfer. He’s not a guy looking for a fight in a late-night parking lot.
He belongs to an entrepreneurial association in downtown Austin. While the high-rise is bougie, the parking below is not – and he usually doesn’t leave the once-a-week meetings until after 10pm. Imagine the city street that is alive with suits and professionals all day, but drastically changes after dark.
A couple weeks ago, while walking to his truck, a man yelled behind him, “hey you!”
Being fully aware of his location, he continued on without turning.
As the man kept pace and yelled twice more “hey, you!”, my SIL considered the possibilities at 10:30pm on the deserted street. The guy likely wanted money or to sell drugs…or worse, rob him and get the keys to the truck which was now within easy access with his long stride.
SIL was home free until the man yelled, “I see that Bible you’re holding!”
After a deep breath, he cautiously turned toward a 30-something, disheveled man slowly approaching him. Dressed in dark clothes and a hard face, the man nodded, “I need prayer.”
SIL did an up/down, scanning for weapons, staring into the man’s eyes, assessing for drugs and psychosis. The one time he wasn’t carrying, of course he’s approached by a stranger.
Though without a doubt a rough and brash guy, he began calmly sharing that he was recently released from prison and on his way to buy weed, but explained through explicit language that he didn’t want to be doing that anymore.
SIL stood silent, still weighing whether to get in the truck or continue listening. Just then, he remembered what he has been praying for the last few months: for God to give him opportunities to talk about Jesus.
I immediately interrupted. “What?!? You have been asking God specifically to give you opportunities to talk about Him?” Seriously, what young man is asking for that at 27-years old?! If they are praying at all, prayer requests are generally focused on promoting self, not God.
“Yes. But I didn’t think He’d put me in a dark alley at 10:30 on a Wednesday night!” We laughed. “I was thinking maybe a friendly chat at Lowe’s on a Saturday!”
The man then explained how he felt unworthy to pray and shared how he kept doing things he didn’t want to do, thus the trip to buy weed. He said he wanted to change but couldn’t seem to pray and needed my SIL to pray on his behalf.
My SIL asked questions and learned more about him. He shared the scripture, Romans 17:15-20, where Paul writes, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing”.
The verse opened up the conversation between the two, my SIL explaining that our sin is the barrier between us and God and only Jesus can break us free. He also encouraged the man by sharing how no one is more worthy than another in God’s eyes and that both of them were the same to God. My SIL urged the man to live with intention and finally make the changes he had been wanting – effort would be required.
The man was moved and repeatedly said how SIL’s words all made sense to him, the Romans Bible verse really shining a light on his exact struggle. He then shared he had kids and wanted to be a better father. SIL told him it was time to step up and be present, dependable… an example for his kids to follow.
The 30-something parolee was receptive, willing, wanting to be more loving and attentive for his children. My SIL asked to pray over him but told the man he wanted to hear him pray out loud as well, since earlier he expressed he didn’t feel worthy. My SIL wanted him to know he was worthy and could speak to God anytime.
The man lowered his head and sobbed as my SIL began to pray. This hard, tough man wept as he then prayed out loud himself to the Lord.
After they prayed, the man looked at my SIL and said, “I’ll never forget your face and will see you again in Heaven someday”. He promised my SIL he would immediately start his new life being a better man – with no more excuses.
Featured Image Source: Thomas Nelson
Tales from a Mid-Lifer 
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