My daughter gazed out the window of my wife’s car and, given her Holmes-esque powers of observation, deduced that something was “off” about the shirtless, disheveled gentleman on the street corner.  Unintelligible screams, choreiform gyrations, and an apparent immunity to splinters despite incessant rubbing on the telephone pole were unfortunate evidences of the man’s likely illicit substance usage.

“Mom, what’s wrong with that guy?” she asked.

“Oh, he’s probably on drugs.”

My daughter gasped.  “Oh no!  Dad ALSO doesn’t wear a shirt sometimes!” (This is categorically false…my Bro Tank tan line is so aggressive that I am ALWAYS wearing a shirt, but it’s hilarious that if we were playing “What Is Wrong With This Picture?” the lack of shirt would have topped the list for Sherlock Mia).

“Yeah, but does this guy really remind you of your Dad?” my wife asked.

Pausing, my daughter responded, “Well, there are probably some differences.”

Thanks, dear.  These pharmaceutical-grade doses of humility help keep me drug free!

But ultimately, we are all desperate sinners in need of a Savior.  I don’t know what has led this guy to his current state, but without Christ in my life, that could have easily been me.  I’ve made some pretty self-destructive decisions myself, and God in His mercy has never given up on me.

I pray he gets the help he needs, and I pray his tormented mind finds the lucidity that is possible when the peace that surpasses understanding caresses his soul and renews his mind.  And hopefully, for him and for everyone else, those garbled shrieks shift to a heartfelt cry of, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.”

“Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”

-Jerry Bridges