Emmanuel–Even in Aisle Three

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16, 17 NIV).

I did a double take.

Had my eyes deceived me? But no, there he was, just several yards away, down aisle three of Kmart’s shoe department. His back was toward us, though I could see a lump under the left arm of his corduroy coat.

My heart raced and my mouth felt drier than the Mojave Desert. I opened to speak but only a puff of air exited, so I cleared my throat and uttered a silent prayer—

Dear Jesus, help me be brave.

“Ex-excuse me, sir.”

The young man jerked around. Behind scraggly facial hair, I detected a scowl, and he turned again and took several steps.

“Stop. I saw what you did.”

Again, he stopped, and I heard him cough.

“I won’t turn you in if you’ll just admit what you’ve done.” I then heard myself say, “And I’ll… I’ll even pay for those shoes.”

That’s when he slowly turned to face us. Reaching one hand inside his coat, he pulled out the shoebox. This time, he took several steps in our direction, and my 10-year-old son tugged on my jacket sleeve.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

Before I could answer, the twenty-something man, his gray eyes too weary for their years, reached us. He held out the box.

Taking it, I cleared my throat once more and gathered the courage I needed to carry this plan—a plan that took me by surprise—to completion.

“I’m Maureen and this is Jake.” I extended my hand and he shook it.

“I’m… I’m Trevor.” For the first time, I saw a hint of a smile behind a beard littered with what I imagined was lunch. “I… I need these here shoes.” He pointed down to worn sneakers—a sizeable hole in the left, a torn sole on the right. “It’s… it’s a’gettin’ right cold out there, and well—

“Of course. And with Christmas just around the corner, let’s call this an early gift. You have been good this year, haven’t you?”

The irony wasn’t lost on my quick-witted son, and Jacob snickered. “Good one, Mom,” I heard him say, though barely above a whisper.

“I have one or two more things to get, and then we’ll check out. Okay?” I patted Trevor’s arm. “You can join us, if you like.”

Several minutes later, our trio stood in the checkout line—a shoebox with size-10, men’s sneakers at the top of the to-be-purchased pile. It was Trevor who broke the silence.

“Thank you, ma’am. I’m… I’m sorry I tried to steal them there shoes. I… I know thievin’ ain’t right but—”

“It’s okay, but honestly, I’m really not the one you should be seeking forgiveness from.”

He offered an awkward grin, and I wondered if Trevor knew what I meant. He answered my silent pondering when he inquired, “Do you’uns go to church anywheres?”

It was my turn to smile.

“Yes. Yes, we do.” I shared with him the name of our church and the time of the service our family attended. Finally, “And if you care to join us sometime, we’d love for you to sit with us.”

We paid for our items, including Trevor’s shoes, before parting ways. He never visited our church, nor have we seen him since, though we’ve thought of him now and again, wondering how he’s doing, if he still lives in our community.

Perhaps Trevor has continued a life of stealing. Or, maybe he’s gotten his act together–is married and attends church somewhere with several children of his own.

Likely we’ll never know, at least not this side of heaven.

I’d like to think I’ll see him there. Perhaps he’ll be donning sneakers he once tried to steal but, to his—and my—surprise, experienced instead the gift of God’s mercy. His grace.

Because that’s what Jesus does. It’s why He came. To save sinners, like Trevor.

Like me.

He left the comfort of heaven and courageously became human—setting the example, then calling us to be brave on behalf of others that all might come to know Him.

Emmanuel, God with us–yes, even in aisle three.

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming. Thank you for forgiving. Thank you for saving. And thank you for the promise of heaven. This hope helps us be… brave. Amen.

***All photos compliments of Pixabay***