Senormac
08-03-2008, 06:59 PM
In my job, as many of you know, I have to sometimes turn off peoples power cuz they didn't pay the bill. I work for the Utility company. So, in doing this job, I have had to learn to read and deal with people in circumstances that are not always pleasant. I've been cussed.....lied to......threatened.....argued with.......and had doors slammed in my face. But also.....I've had some really wonderful experiances.....like the following. In doing this job.....I first have to knock on the door and see if the people can somehow make the payment......its a courtesy to them.....a kind of last chance thing.
So, I had an order to go to a place for disconnect......and I'm looking at the work order, and in the notes section....it says.....the people paid with a check .....but forgot to fill it out ! Duh.....I mean, c'mon....checks don't write themselves.....they need signatures, and dollar ammounts and dates, and stuff like that......so I pull up, and I'm thinking......hmmmm.....probably just a ploy to try and get some more time. So.... I go up to the door, and I can hear a guy talkin on the phone behind the door.....and there are these two yapping little dogs in the front window barking at me. Now I can't see the front door cuz they have one of those big white screen doors that reflect all light and vision from ever penetrating.....unless you are Superman......but I open it and knock.....then let the screen close......
So, the guy hangs up....and the door creaks open a bit....(I can see nothing at all).....so I say......Hello?......and I hear a voice that says.....
"Are you a federal agent?".......
"Excuse me?"............
"I said, are you a federal agent.....dressed up like a utility guy?"......
"Cuz......they are after me....just cuz I ride a motorcycle.....and used to know some guys.......who were in the Mongols.....and the Free Souls.....but im not in those gangs.......Im old.....I'm just an old guy.......I've had heart surgery.....and other surgery too.......just recently.......I just want some peace.....I'm old".........I hurt".....
"No....I work for SUB...I'm here to turn off the power unless you can make this payment"........
"Uh......uh......
He seemed slow.....and confused.....and tired. He opened the screen a bit to talk to me, and I could see he really WAS an old guy! In his 60's. He had long white hair.......and had lots of tatoos....and he would'nt really look at me.....through, or over his glasses, for more than a second or two.....I was thinking....."this guy must be hungover....or on drugs "......you know....that ol judging by outward appearance thing.
So, I told him what was up.....and he said his wife paid all the bills......but he would write a check.....but after some minutes of the guy not being able to find his check book......he asked if I would wait for him to ride his bike down to the bank to get the cash out. Now, normally we are not supposed to do this.....we just don't have time to wait for people. By the time I get to the door.....its pay me....or go pay in the office....to get it turned back on! But Gods mercy was flowing to me......to my heart.....and I said I would wait....in my truck for him to get dressed....and then I'd follow him down to the bank for the payment. The bank was only 4 blocks away...on main street.
So, I sit in my truck and wait........and wait......and wait........and I'm really having second thoughts about this whole thing.....like "uh....Jesus....whats up here? Is this guy just jerkin me around?"........and finally I go back up to the front door and knock again.....
"Is everything OK ?......I've got lots of work to do today..........
"Yea.....I'm sorry......I'm coming........
I go back to my truck......finally the garage door opens. Now when he said "ride his bike" up to the bank.....I pictured.....a bycycle.......cuz alot of people who are kinda having financial troubles don't have cars any more.......but he comes out of the garage backing the most immaculately clean and customized Harley Davidson I've seen in a long while!! The thing was probably worth more than his whole house!! It was chrome chrome and chrome.....and custom paint....and ape bars.....heh heh.....those things always crack me up! And there is not one speck of dirt or grease on it anywhere......Not even a fingerprint!! And he's got no shirt on......and he's old.....and he's thin......and he has tons of tattoos.....and long white hair....and hippie glasses.....and wrinkles......he's old man.....OLD!!
And he starts that thing up......and it rumbles.....and he's so slow....he's taking forever to do everything.......get his helmet....get his shirt.....close the door....check his liscence.....but the Lord says......"patience...patience......just be patient......so I wait for him.
Finally, he's ready and he pulls out of his drive onto the street......and the guy rips off at high speed!!! I mean, he must have hit sixty....just between his place and Main street four blocks up.....and I'm thinking.....Jesus.....don't let him crash.....please......don't let him get hurt!! I hope he knows theres a stop sign up there !!! And I pull out to follow him......
So, he's doing OK for a guy I think is totally out of it ......he doesn't crash.....he obeys all the signs.....(except for the speed limit)....and makes it to the bank.....and goes through the DRIVE THROUGH !!! On his Harley !!! Whats with this guy? Is he crazy? So I park in the regular lot and wait. If he ditches me.....I'll know....cuz no Harley can make a quiet getaway.......and again....I wait....and wait......but pretty soon....I see him come around the building.....and he pulls into the lot and parks next to me. And he has the cash!! Cool!
So, he gives me the money for his bill and as I'm writing him a receipt.....hes talking.....and he's just telling me all his troubles......how he's old.....and the cops and FBI are always hassling him.....and how he's had two operations.....and how his wife and him are having trouble......and how he's in his sixties....and just wants some peace......and he's not in a gang.......and he doesn't want to be in a gang.......and he doesn't know what to do. It's strange, really how the guy just opened up all his feelings to me.....and his worries.....and his fears.......AND HE"S A FREAKIN BIKER DUDE !! HE WAS HARDCORE !! LONG WHITE HAIR......TATS GALORE......!!! Probably and extensive drug and criminal background ( I'm only guessing about this though) .....But so sad......so lost!
So finally, cautiously.....I say......."Do you know Jesus?.....He will help you if you ask him".....
And he looks at me.......
and he says......
"I belive in Jesus"
So I tell him about some of my friends who are in CMA (christian motorcycle association) and how they go to Sturges and places and hand out water.....a help people .....and pray for people......
And he says......"I know about CMA......they are the Bikers that nobody messes with......cuz they are good......they are good people......they don't murder.......they don't run drugs......they help people".....
And its true......among the Biker gangs......with their colors.....and their patches.......and their codes.....and their bylaws......one thing is accepted and known among all the Biker gangs ........Don't F**K with CMA........they are GOOD PEOPLE! They are the christians !
So.....I'm sitting in my truck.....with the window rolled down....and he is standing there next to his bike.....and I give him his receipt for payment.....and I ask him.......could I pray for you?
And he says......."Yes "......
So I ask him to come over to my truck......and I ask him his name.......
and he puts his hands on my open window and I put my hand on his shoulder.....and I pray for him......just a gentle and merciful prayer of Jesus love for him......and his marriage.......and when I am finished.........
(just a minute or so).......he looks up........
and this old.....
gnarly......
tattooed.......
long haired.......
bad biker guy......
Is crying......
His eyes are full of tears.........
And it almost made me weep too......
But I smile at him....and he smiles at me.....
And I'm thinking......Jesus.....did you get to him? Did you reach him?But....you know......I'm sure He did.....
And then.....I had to go....cuz I had lots of work to do......and we went our ways......
So the next day.....today.....I was going past his place again.....and he was out in the garage.....working....and he saw my truck as I passed.....with its SUB logo on the side.....and he came out......and waved.....wondering if it was me......and I put on the brakes.....stopped.....put it in reverse......and went back........
He came up to the window......smiling......and said....."thank you.....thank you".......he really appreciated what I did......and that he told his wife all about it!! And she said........It must have been God who caused her to forget to fill out that check......just so I would come there that day to talk to him. And you know.......she was probably right!!
I felt good........ thank you Holy Spirit !! Thank you!
So, I had an order to go to a place for disconnect......and I'm looking at the work order, and in the notes section....it says.....the people paid with a check .....but forgot to fill it out ! Duh.....I mean, c'mon....checks don't write themselves.....they need signatures, and dollar ammounts and dates, and stuff like that......so I pull up, and I'm thinking......hmmmm.....probably just a ploy to try and get some more time. So.... I go up to the door, and I can hear a guy talkin on the phone behind the door.....and there are these two yapping little dogs in the front window barking at me. Now I can't see the front door cuz they have one of those big white screen doors that reflect all light and vision from ever penetrating.....unless you are Superman......but I open it and knock.....then let the screen close......
So, the guy hangs up....and the door creaks open a bit....(I can see nothing at all).....so I say......Hello?......and I hear a voice that says.....
"Are you a federal agent?".......
"Excuse me?"............
"I said, are you a federal agent.....dressed up like a utility guy?"......
"Cuz......they are after me....just cuz I ride a motorcycle.....and used to know some guys.......who were in the Mongols.....and the Free Souls.....but im not in those gangs.......Im old.....I'm just an old guy.......I've had heart surgery.....and other surgery too.......just recently.......I just want some peace.....I'm old".........I hurt".....
"No....I work for SUB...I'm here to turn off the power unless you can make this payment"........
"Uh......uh......
He seemed slow.....and confused.....and tired. He opened the screen a bit to talk to me, and I could see he really WAS an old guy! In his 60's. He had long white hair.......and had lots of tatoos....and he would'nt really look at me.....through, or over his glasses, for more than a second or two.....I was thinking....."this guy must be hungover....or on drugs "......you know....that ol judging by outward appearance thing.
So, I told him what was up.....and he said his wife paid all the bills......but he would write a check.....but after some minutes of the guy not being able to find his check book......he asked if I would wait for him to ride his bike down to the bank to get the cash out. Now, normally we are not supposed to do this.....we just don't have time to wait for people. By the time I get to the door.....its pay me....or go pay in the office....to get it turned back on! But Gods mercy was flowing to me......to my heart.....and I said I would wait....in my truck for him to get dressed....and then I'd follow him down to the bank for the payment. The bank was only 4 blocks away...on main street.
So, I sit in my truck and wait........and wait......and wait........and I'm really having second thoughts about this whole thing.....like "uh....Jesus....whats up here? Is this guy just jerkin me around?"........and finally I go back up to the front door and knock again.....
"Is everything OK ?......I've got lots of work to do today..........
"Yea.....I'm sorry......I'm coming........
I go back to my truck......finally the garage door opens. Now when he said "ride his bike" up to the bank.....I pictured.....a bycycle.......cuz alot of people who are kinda having financial troubles don't have cars any more.......but he comes out of the garage backing the most immaculately clean and customized Harley Davidson I've seen in a long while!! The thing was probably worth more than his whole house!! It was chrome chrome and chrome.....and custom paint....and ape bars.....heh heh.....those things always crack me up! And there is not one speck of dirt or grease on it anywhere......Not even a fingerprint!! And he's got no shirt on......and he's old.....and he's thin......and he has tons of tattoos.....and long white hair....and hippie glasses.....and wrinkles......he's old man.....OLD!!
And he starts that thing up......and it rumbles.....and he's so slow....he's taking forever to do everything.......get his helmet....get his shirt.....close the door....check his liscence.....but the Lord says......"patience...patience......just be patient......so I wait for him.
Finally, he's ready and he pulls out of his drive onto the street......and the guy rips off at high speed!!! I mean, he must have hit sixty....just between his place and Main street four blocks up.....and I'm thinking.....Jesus.....don't let him crash.....please......don't let him get hurt!! I hope he knows theres a stop sign up there !!! And I pull out to follow him......
So, he's doing OK for a guy I think is totally out of it ......he doesn't crash.....he obeys all the signs.....(except for the speed limit)....and makes it to the bank.....and goes through the DRIVE THROUGH !!! On his Harley !!! Whats with this guy? Is he crazy? So I park in the regular lot and wait. If he ditches me.....I'll know....cuz no Harley can make a quiet getaway.......and again....I wait....and wait......but pretty soon....I see him come around the building.....and he pulls into the lot and parks next to me. And he has the cash!! Cool!
So, he gives me the money for his bill and as I'm writing him a receipt.....hes talking.....and he's just telling me all his troubles......how he's old.....and the cops and FBI are always hassling him.....and how he's had two operations.....and how his wife and him are having trouble......and how he's in his sixties....and just wants some peace......and he's not in a gang.......and he doesn't want to be in a gang.......and he doesn't know what to do. It's strange, really how the guy just opened up all his feelings to me.....and his worries.....and his fears.......AND HE"S A FREAKIN BIKER DUDE !! HE WAS HARDCORE !! LONG WHITE HAIR......TATS GALORE......!!! Probably and extensive drug and criminal background ( I'm only guessing about this though) .....But so sad......so lost!
So finally, cautiously.....I say......."Do you know Jesus?.....He will help you if you ask him".....
And he looks at me.......
and he says......
"I belive in Jesus"
So I tell him about some of my friends who are in CMA (christian motorcycle association) and how they go to Sturges and places and hand out water.....a help people .....and pray for people......
And he says......"I know about CMA......they are the Bikers that nobody messes with......cuz they are good......they are good people......they don't murder.......they don't run drugs......they help people".....
And its true......among the Biker gangs......with their colors.....and their patches.......and their codes.....and their bylaws......one thing is accepted and known among all the Biker gangs ........Don't F**K with CMA........they are GOOD PEOPLE! They are the christians !
So.....I'm sitting in my truck.....with the window rolled down....and he is standing there next to his bike.....and I give him his receipt for payment.....and I ask him.......could I pray for you?
And he says......."Yes "......
So I ask him to come over to my truck......and I ask him his name.......
and he puts his hands on my open window and I put my hand on his shoulder.....and I pray for him......just a gentle and merciful prayer of Jesus love for him......and his marriage.......and when I am finished.........
(just a minute or so).......he looks up........
and this old.....
gnarly......
tattooed.......
long haired.......
bad biker guy......
Is crying......
His eyes are full of tears.........
And it almost made me weep too......
But I smile at him....and he smiles at me.....
And I'm thinking......Jesus.....did you get to him? Did you reach him?But....you know......I'm sure He did.....
And then.....I had to go....cuz I had lots of work to do......and we went our ways......
So the next day.....today.....I was going past his place again.....and he was out in the garage.....working....and he saw my truck as I passed.....with its SUB logo on the side.....and he came out......and waved.....wondering if it was me......and I put on the brakes.....stopped.....put it in reverse......and went back........
He came up to the window......smiling......and said....."thank you.....thank you".......he really appreciated what I did......and that he told his wife all about it!! And she said........It must have been God who caused her to forget to fill out that check......just so I would come there that day to talk to him. And you know.......she was probably right!!
I felt good........ thank you Holy Spirit !! Thank you!