Lately, maybe it's just graduation coming up or something, but I've been thinking back on my life a lot. I've been realizing all the random things I've done or that have happened throughout my life - it's kind of crazy. Tonight is one to add to the list I think.
I was sitting at Starbucks getting into my study groove. I had my iPod going, really digesting Econ and Law as much as can be digested. Then this guy came up to me that I've seen in Sbux a few times over the last couple of weeks. I've been around people with psychological disorders including people suffering from schizophrenia. My last encounter with this guy had led me to believe he probably had something along those lines. He just started chatting saying stuff like "what's up, what are you reading", etc. I replied to everything he was asking and what not and then he said something I didn't understand and so I responded with the normal "what?". He got really close to my face to whisper in my ear..."I am God". And then he didn't move, he just stayed really close. So I pulled my head back and turned my head to face him at the same time and was like, "oh, uh". I mean, what do you say to that?
Then he started talking about how he was homeless. So I tried asking how long he had been homeless and how old he was and whatnot. He told me and then started talking about getting out of the house because of his sexually abusive mother. I won't get into the details of everything he said because it was graphic and he shared some unrelated information that I wish he hadn't about his personal attributes. I tried refocusing on asking him if he had friends to stay with or if he tried a shelter of some kind. He gave some quasi-coherent answers and then talked about his head hurting. I suggested he try Valley Med, hoping that if he went there he could get help of some kind for not only his hurting head but also whatever psychological issues he was having.
I think it was around this point he started rambling and mumbling a lot more and the Sbux was getting ready to close so I saw a guy that was sitting across from me catch eye contact with me and mouth "are you okay?" I kind of gave him the "I don't know" grimmace, if you can picture that. He went and said something to one of the baristas who started to walk our way and look at what was going on. At this point Jonathan (as he said his name was) was packing up some of his stuff, sorta, and then headed back over to me. He said, "lemme tell you something" and then leaned over and whispered into my ear with a deep, almost growl, "I f***ing hate you" and then he walked back to his stuff. I looked over at the barista with a "uhhh, help?" kind of look and he then told Jonathan that they were closing and to pack up. The barista walked by me and casually mumbled "just stay inside here for a little while, you don't have to leave".
Jonathan was finished packing up and as he started to leave, he came up and whispered into my ear again. I won't put into written word what he said in my ear because it's disgusting, but needless to say I was freaked out. After he left, the barista and another patron of the sbux were talking to me to ask what was up and if I was okay which was really nice. They remarked that I should have flagged somebody down and that I shouldn't have talked to the guy.
I'm kinda processing everything, but I don't know...there are a few things that come to mind kind of clearly. 1) The random guy that mouthed the question of whether or not I was okay and then flagged the barista down was really nice and shows that there are observant and caring people in this world, 2) I probably should have tried to flag a barista down a little sooner and I definitely need to be more cautious before things degenerate that far, but 3) I can't be so afraid that I stop trying to be Christ's hands and feet...one of the last things we were talking about before Jonathan said he hated me was that there is no God. I told him that I believe there is a God and Jonathan should hold on to that God to help him find the positive rays of light and hope he said he was looking for in this world.
Medically speaking, I know he most likely has no idea what I'm talking about and probably won't really register, mentally, what I was saying, but God isn't just for the sane and healthy...He still works miracles and I believe in a God that can do anything...who am I to limit Him?
I don't know, this is just my attempt to start processing the experience...
1 week ago
Posts
