The other day I was at work in the small bookstore I like to call "The Old Lady Store". I was operating the cash register when an elderly man rolled up in one of those Huveround chairs. He was slower than most and it was hard to understand him. I first noticed him as he was waiting out side the store for someone to let him in. I went out the front door and asked him if he wanted to come in. He gave me the biggest smile and through what sounded like a grunt said "yes". I held the door for him as he maneuvered his chair through the doorway. He had a smell about him that was less than pleasant, but nonetheless, he seemed happy.
It seemed like an eternity that he shopped in our little store. Looking at everything and anything. Then I saw him looking at something that I thought was unusual. He stop in front of the wind chimes. He just sat there looking at them. I went over and ask he want to hear any of them and he gave my another grunt. I grabbed the first one and gave it a lite jingle. His eyes lit up like some one had just opened up a whole new world. He gave out a quick laugh and then proceeded to have me jingle every single wind chime we had. It was an awesome sight to see a man so broken and frail to be enjoying himself so much. He couldn't use his hands or his feet, they were too stiff with arthritis, but he still had his laughter, and laugh he did. I must have spent a good half hour showing him all the wind chimes. I know that if I were in his condition I would want someone to help me. He looked around for a bit longer and them came to checkout counter with a broken smile, but a smile nonetheless. He was so excited to be purchasing this set of wind chimes. This man, made in the image of God rolled into the "Old Lady Store" a broken old man, but he rolled out (in my eyes) a mighty warrior with passion and fire in his eyes. As he left I thought to myself, "I wonder what happened to him to put him in that chair", I guess I'll never know. Of course all that really matters is that he is an image bearer of the King of Kings.
