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HOMER
by louis gander Homer. A very special person. Successful? Few would call him that today. He was not an important elected official. He was not a well-known celebrity. He was not a CEO, nor even 'important'. In the mid 50's after heart trouble doctors suggested a warmer climate- so he moved to Texas - Weslaco, Texas. He knew no one there. And of course, Mexico was just across the river. The Mexicans were very poor. I suppose most of us knew that, but few noticed. I visited him once. He lived in a trailer. He didn't have heat and it got cold at night, but few noticed. The border patrol got to know Homer. They trusted him. They knew him. as they saw how he lived, and the work he was doing. We easily crossed the border often into Mexico and back, without being checked. He prayed, then delivered food. He prayed, then delivered clothes. He prayed, then delivered hope. He prayed, then delivered change to their lives. For years he delivered their needs and the Good Word, but few noticed. He didn't pastor a big church. He didn't pastor any church. I remember once at a Wednesday night prayer meeting - (during one of those rare times he returned to Wisconsin) several men stood up and gave their testimonies. Then Homer stood up. He didn't say anything spectacular. He just told of how poor his 'new friends' were and how he was trying to help them. He spoke for a bit and asked for anything we might be able to donate and then started to sit. But everyone wanted to hear more so he continued. He spoke for the full service. No one left that service early - and Pastor never spoke, but few noticed. His faith was strong, He did great things, but few noticed. Decades later as he got older, he moved in with us - back here in Wisconsin. I owned rentals and charged him nothing. He insisted on paying, so he did, $40 per month. That paid the utilities. He could afford that. He stayed in a lower unit a few years and I learned a lot as I saw him daily. We were kind of one big family. A few times I walked in on him - without knocking. I noticed him in his room down on his knees praying. He didn't hear me or see me so I stepped back out. He read his Bible and prayed continuously. He carried his Bible everywhere - He rarely left home without it. He walked to the other end of town and back twice a day, for exercise. He loved Gods world. He continued his normal routine- his daily Christian walk, but few noticed. One day while driving east down main street- on the far sidewalk, I saw him. There he was - up ahead walking the same direction as I was driving. I remember his distinctive walk - a little hunched over, a deliberate walk - as if he knew just where he was going. As I got closer - as I looked closer - at his side, under his arm, in his hand was that same familiar Bible. He didn't notice me. I didn't sound my horn. I just looked ahead and smiled. On the sidewalk were other passers by. I wondered if they, too, saw his Bible, but few noticed. A great believer. A special person. Maybe not a "special" person to our world, but a special person to me - and a very special person to God, though few noticed. Homer passed away in 1991 at the age of 95. A few people in Weslaco, TX or in Mexico might still remember him. The children he clothed then would be in their 40s now. Homer McDermott 1896-1991 He died poor, but few noticed. If every American in this nation - prayed as hard as he did, worked as hard as he did, gave as hard as he did - if every American in this nation - showed as much love as he did, to our neighbors here and around the world, America, once again, would be that "shining city on a hill" Reagan spoke of in Dallas, 1984. And God would be defined to the world through pure Christian living - and not by theology books sold in bookstores or by, (allow me to define it this way) "make-believers". Homer didn't 'act' like a Christian - Homer WAS a Christian. Homer never worked for his salvation, nor did he worry about his salvation, nor did he charge for his Christian service. Neither shall I. Few people knew Homer, but God did. Few people noticed Homer, but I did. Homer, Homer McDermott. my grandfather, ~louis gander. By: Louis Gander 2009 True reflections of my grandfather and his impact on the lives of those around him. Including, of course, me. Matthew 10:32 (KJ) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Copyright 2021 by louis gander. Poetry for sermons, story poems and more... If you love story poems, then you'll love ganderpoems.org / no ads, no sign-up, no tracking. Just free inspirational poetry. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |