Clarence went to feed the birds
My sister and her husband, Gena and Clarence, live in Bella Vista; but as of this writing, they are in San Diego, Calif. Clarence, retired from the U.S. Navy, has a physical disability. This Reflection is Gena’s story. Thank you, Gena, for allowing us to print it.
Clarence had been wanting me to take him to the beach again to feed the birds. We have been to different beaches in San Diego, and we have fed lots of birds! I just didn’t feel like fighting the traffic, and driving to another beach seemed like such a chore.
Yesterday, when I told Clarence “I don’t feel like going to the beach today,” he said “I’ll just drive myself then.” I urged him not to drive, but he found the keys and went out the front door with a load of peanuts-in-the-shell for the birds. In the past, his insistency of wanting to go someplace forced me to leave what I’m doing so I could drive him to his destination. This time I was either too tired or lazy to jump up and get behind the wheel; but I doubted he would really leave.
Alas, he got the little red Prius on its way, and was gone! I knew there would be trouble! 1) He didn’t take his phone, 2) He has Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinson’s Disease, and didn’t take his medicine, 3) He gets confused, and can’t focus on anything for long, like the highway and traffic, 4) He doesn’t know my brother’s address where we’re staying, 5) He can’t go long without a bathroom stop, 6) and HE HASN’T DRIVEN IN OVER TWO YEARS! He even forgets how to turn his lawnmower off! 7) He can’t see in the dark, and he left late in the day. Yes, there will be some kind of problem with him on the California freeways — maybe a disaster!
Not more than five minutes after he left, I called 9-1-1 and asked for the Highway Patrol. I explained the situation to them, mentioning his Lewy Body Dementia which causes him to walk like a drunk man. They persuaded me to classify him as a “Missing or Lost Person,” saying in this situation someone would bring him home if needed. They put out a Missing Person bulletin with his description all over San Diego and Los Angeles Counties.
At the end of the day, I got a call from the Sheriff’s Department. They had received a call from a 7-Eleven store not five miles from my brother’s house, saying a confused, shaking, older man stumbled into the store saying he’s lost and doesn’t know how to get home. He doesn’t know his brother’s address, and only knows his name. The Police said they would be there to help, but they never came. The Sheriff’s Department called me. I thanked them and told them my brother will take me to rescue him. All will be well.
When Clarence saw me come in, his eyes lit up. He had been waiting for over an hour for his dilemma to be solved. For a while he wondered if anyone cared enough to come to his rescue, and He apologized for his impulsive irresponsible behavior. I had a delicious roast dinner waiting and we were happy he was safe.
This reminds me of how God sees man. Before the foundation of the World, God knew there would be trouble. God knew He would make man out of the dust of the earth, and knew man would fall. Through His foreknowledge, he saw a disaster coming! God set out a plan of salvation. Jesus, the 2nd person of the Trinity, the one who created you (John 1:1-2) agreed to be your ransom long before the world began (I Peter 1:20). The stage for our rescue was set before the problem began. All you have to do is stumble toward Him, and admit you are lost; make the call to heaven, and the Divine Plan of Salvation will include YOU.
Romans 10:12-13 says, “For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Are YOU a “missing or lost person?” Christ, your Redeemer is waiting to bring you home!
— Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, mentor and president of the Siloam Springs Writers Guild. Send comments and questions to masters.servant@cox.net. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
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