COMIC BOOK THUG

I read comic books!  Yes, it's true.  Judge me if you wish.  

I check out my comic books from the library.  This allows me to read old stuff and new for free.  The only problem is that my library isn’t in the best neighborhood, at all.  I’ve walked out to my car to a homeless lady putting out her cigarette ON the side of my car.  I’ve walked out to my car to find it covered in red hoodies.  Why make my car an impromptu hoodie rack?  A small group of youngsters needed a place to drop them for a quick throw down.  This is the price I pay to get my comic book fix.  I’ve learned to go in and get out quickly with little eye contact to avoid unwanted shenanigans (There’s a word that needs to make a strong comeback).

One day I walked in and had a small stack of books in my hand.  I was having problems checking out my “product” on the computer and was waiting for some help.  I heard a voice a voice near me:  “Whachoo gawt der?” I paid no attention.  My goal is to get in and out with no trouble, avoiding the rabble-rousers (Another phrase that needs a strong comeback, as well).  But the voice wouldn’t stop.  He wanted to know what I was carrying and he wasn’t going to be ignored.  I looked over to see this huge,  intimidating, thug pointing at my stack of books.  “Here it comes,” I thought, “I’m about to get mocked for my reading material.  Why can’t I just get my books in peace.  Where’s the help, around here?  I don’t want any trouble.”  He continued as he approached:  “Is that Black Adam (One of the books I was carrying)?  That’s some good s—t!  I’ve been reading The Walking Dead.  You read that s—t?!  That’s some good s—t!”  Then he proceeded to give away all the plot points to The Walking Dead book series while comparing it to the show, creatively and poetically flavoring it all with the occasional profanity compound phrases.  I’m trying to figure out what happened.  I had found the one comic book thug of Fresno.  As he proceeded through spoiling The Walking Dead for me, I felt shame.  I had made a hasty judgement of my new found friend.  I had broken one of the cardinal sins of my childhood:  Judging a book by it’s cover.  Me and Comic Book Thug  found fellowship, connection, and unity that day.

I learned a great lesson about the trustworthiness of my judgement.  We can be so wrong about who someone really is.  During my devotional this morning I was reading through Matthew and came across this passage:  53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Matthew 13:53-58

I notice how people find comfort in type-casting others.  We like our judgements.  We trust our judgements.  We take offense if people color out of our judgmental lines.  “Who do you think you are, Jesus.  We know you!  You offend us, Jesus—trying to be something you’re not.  We know your parents.  Your dad built the boy’s bunk beds.  You’re the son of the bunk beds builder.  Your sister use to babysit our boys.  We know who you really are!”  They were so wrong about Him.  They held on to there judgements and missed out on their God Moment.

My encouragement for you today is to stop, look, and listen.  Allow your judgements to be questioned and tested.  You may find a friend where you expected an enemy and God moving where you didn’t expect Him.