It was the first time I’d ever invited someone I didn’t know into my home to stay the night. In the past, I would never have done such a thing. Too foolish. Way too foolish in my book. But one day, a homeless man walking from Oklahoma to Fort Worth and I crossed paths that forever changed me. Not long thereafter, I found my mind centering and redirecting itself, seemingly all of the time mind you, on Hebrews 13:2. For whatever reason, I haven’t been the same since. I’ve got no desire whatsoever to stereotype people anymore. In the end, I believe it to be the working of God in my life in one of the most concrete ways I’ve ever experienced. It’s God’s gift.
So when I got an email from Jon Riddle, a brother in Dimmit, TX whom I’ve never met, only spoken to on the phone once, informing me of a young man named Colin Morrison who was walking, yes, walking from Maine to California, I was instantly intrigued. I was told he would be arriving in Clovis on Wednesday afternoon. Sure enough, at 3 pm he walked into the church building. He was greeted by our secretary. Curious, I believe she asked, “Can we help you?” Colin’s response, if my memory is correct, was, “I’m looking for the preacher. I forgot his name though.”
My door was open, so I could see Delores speaking with someone in our greeting area outside the offices. I assumed it was Colin, so I walked out to meet him. We went back to my office, and though wearied from his journey, he told me what he was doing. In May, Colin hopped a bus from Ohio, where he grew up, to Portland, Maine. He left Portland and began walking. On October 28th, he was with me in Clovis, NM.
He stayed the night with us that Wednesday night. He had dinner with us. He went to bible class with us as well.
There’s an amazing aspect to this story that is particularly fitting here. Colin has coordinated his travels so that he is always in a town on Sundays and Wednesdays. He has missed worship services with a local Church of Christ only three times since he began walking, and that wasn’t because he didn’t get to a congregation. He was there, but the congregation, for whatever reason, wasn’t gathering. But he was still there. That’s impressive!
My kids loved Colin. He played Wii with them. He wrestled with Reese. It was like he was family. But wait a minute, he actually was. He was a brother in Christ, doing an unbelievable thing, all because he could. The next day, we had a great lunch together at Fat Boys BBQ. He spent time with me at the office, as he mapped out his journey through the rest of New Mexico. Tisha’s family was coming in that Thursday to spend the weekend with us, so we put Colin in a local hotel room for Thursday evening. The next morning, he resumed his adventure.
Colin has been chronicling his adventure on his blog. I encourage you to read about him. Post a comment to encourage him. Colin is an amazing young man, and my family was fortunate to be able to meet him. Most importantly, it was a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to live out Hebrews 13:2.
Colin, you are in our prayers my friend. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.
