Yesterday I met a young woman in the stadium district of Seattle. She was standing by the entrance to a parking garage and talking at a bush. My fellow street minister and I approached her gently, quietly announcing who we were and what our intentions were. “We are from Operation Nightwatch. We are passing out sandwiches, socks, and water if you’re interested.” She looked up, smiled, and said sure. She was smoking a cigarette and telling us that a lightning storm was coming out of the bush. “Doesn’t that one leaf look like a man coming out of the ground?” I agreed that it did sort of and that sometimes you can see pictures in the clouds. As we fumbled through the burning cigarette and her constant swaying, we listened to her story about no one believing her and how it made her feel. She noticed my clergy collar and said she liked it and that she had one too. She called it a Saint collar and asked me my name. She referred to me as St Michael for the rest of our time together.

She walked with us and continued to talk about her life. As we were walking towards a group of RVs, she stopped and looked me directly in the eyes. “I stole ten dollars this morning and I don’t feel bad about it. Do you think repentance is only genuine if you feel bad?” I told her that the Bible says that it’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance. I said that God forgives us and that his love creates an environment in our heart that makes it safe to be honest about our regrets or struggles. She told me that she used to be a pathological liar and that she always tells the truth now. I offered to pray and we bowed our heads and felt the abundant love of God!

Michael Cox