What Sa Matter?
By
Don Vermilyea
Greetings
from Iowa,
It’s hard to imagine that the walk
started over 8,600 miles and two years ago.
So much for “time flies when we’re having fun” as this is very seldom
fun and time has flown by.
During those 100 plus weeks there have been Sunday mornings when I’ve arrived unannounced at a
Christian church. Most Sundays I’m
scheduled at a Church of the Brethren, but sometimes there are hundreds of
miles in between stops. Occasionally I’m
so far out in the boonies no churches are around, while other Sundays a church
building appears at the right moment.
The denomination isn’t important.
What is, is praising God with other Christians.
One Sunday I happened to walk past a
new looking church building at 9:15, just as people were arriving. I had thought this was going
to be an in-the-boonies Sunday, and praised God.
Rather than walking the quarter mile
to the driveway and the same distance back, I hopped the barbed wire fence in
between the road and the church parking lot.
If I needed some exercise I would have gladly taken the long way.
After crossing the large parking lot
I was close to the front door when a well dressed man exited right in front of
me. I said “Hi” and asked if this was a
Christian church. He replied “Yes,” and
I knew it was the right place for me.
Upon entering the church building
and looking for a good place to deposit my large backpack, I noticed the man
was following me. I asked, “Do you have
adult Sunday School class?” He replied “Yes,” introduced himself as the
associate pastor, and told me he taught one of the adult classes. He pointed upstairs to a corner room and said
I’d be welcome in his class.
This felt great because most of the
time I’m not welcome anywhere. I took my
pack off in the foyer area, removed my Bible and other reading and writing
materials, and proceeded upstairs with the pastor.
We were conversing in his room for a
few minutes when he excused himself and didn’t shut the door completely. I overheard, “I’ve got him in my room, now
what do I do with him?” I’d like to
think the conversation revolved around something besides me, but I probably was
the topic of discussion.
The pastor quickly returned and we
had Sunday School together the next 55 minutes. He exclaimed a few times, “I wonder where the
other six to eight adults are that usually attend?” I thought better about wondering out loud, “Does
this have anything to do with your conversation in
the next room a little while ago?”
Sunday School
wasn’t like I ever experienced. After
awhile I showed him “proof” of the walk across America. He actually started to believe me and I was
no longer what he apparently thought I was.
You know: bum, drifter, dangerous,
damaged goods, a threat to society, whatever. Soon I was a dedicated Christian walking for
Jesus. He even showed me the church’s
thick 48 page book of activities like softball, bowling, and sewing, along with Bible classes, etc.
He asked if I’d like a copy of the
church book and I politely declined because it was too heavy for my already
overloaded pack. We spent 40 minutes
discussing the walk and his church. This
wasn’t what I expected, but beggars can’t be choosers, at least that is what I
was taught as a child.
The last few minutes I shared that there had been times I’d arrived at a Christian
church unannounced and had been treated like a loser or threat or something
negative. He assured me his congregation
was a most welcoming one. I asked if
he’d do me a favor and not let anyone know of our conversation so I wouldn’t be
treated in a special way by being introduced or recognized in some way. The pastor agreed and we shook hands and
parted company.
Worship was about to begin and the
pews began to fill. Eventually 250 of us
pretty much filled the place. That is, except for my pew. I know I
hadn’t washed up in a week, but I don’t mean that kind of pew. I was in the middle of a pew capable of
holding at least 12 people. On one end
was a man and on the other end was a couple.
There was room for at least eight more people with “no sweat”. I know I had sweat on me, but that’s not what
I mean either. The biggest empty spaces
in the sanctuary were around me.
During worship greeting time one
person greeted me and said, “I haven’t seen you before.” I replied, “Yes, this is my first time.” That was it for the welcoming the pastor told
me about.
The congregation was reminded about
continuing to pass blankets and food to those in need. It was a great message. The music was good too.
After worship I emptied my pack in
order to fill all my water bottles from the drinking fountain that was good and
cold. Everyone kept their distance. Then I walked down their long
driveway beside the cars full of people, towards my next destination, happy I’d gotten cold water, but sad I’d gotten the
cold shoulder.
Easter Sunday eve 2003 I stayed with
a family who are spiritual, but not Christian.
We had some great discussions concerning spiritual matters.
I looked in the city phone book and
the closest Christian church was only six blocks away. Man, I was all spiffed up for Easter
services. I’d showered the night before,
had been cared for, my clothes were all washed, and I wasn’t worn out after
only a six block walk. It doesn’t get
any better than that.
There were about 25 in Sunday School and 150 during worship service. I’m thankful one person said hi during those
two hours. I’m thankful I didn’t try to
get the loving family from the night before to attend church with me. They would have seen why they didn’t want to
participate. Talking the talk, and not
walking the walk on the most holy of Christian days.
I don’t want to paint a negative
picture of church goers. During unannounced stops about half the
congregations have been welcoming and the other half have been like the two
just mentioned. Some have talked the
talk and walked the walk.
One time during the heat of summer I
walked past a church on the edge of town.
I didn’t know what time it was except it was morning. My watch was lost the day before and I was
planning on purchasing a cheap Timex with actual hands in the dial instead of
the digital one I’d been using.
People were arriving and shortly
thereafter we started praising the Lord.
I wasn’t aware the time was
We had a good old time and it seemed
like it might be getting late enough for me to have to leave, as worship
service was ending. I chose one person
to ask what time it was because I had 100+ more miles
to get to a church in
The man’s reply was, “What sa matter, don’t you have a
watch?” I replied, “No, I lost mine
yesterday.” He then took his cheap Timex
with actual hands on the dial off his wrist and said, “Here, now you do.” I
said, “Thank you,” and checked the time. It was
Then they filled my pack with all
kinds of food. I left filled up in many
ways. God is Truly Great!
I’ve found some expensive watches
over the year and a half since the cheap Timex has been in my possession. They have all been given away because I like
my “what sa matter” watch. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we
were truly concerned for others so much so we’d be willing to give away the
shirt off our backs and a lot more without even thinking about what we should
get in return? I sure think it would
be.
In Luke
Have you counted your shirts lately?
Till
the next time. . .
In
Christ’s love,
Don