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THE MAN IN THE PARK

by Suellen Fry  
10/24/2006 / Missions

Almost four years agoI took my then four year old son to the park that day. We lived in a small town at the time. Spending the day in the park was always a joy for me as well as I had the chance to view the beauty of the old historic buildings and the quaint surroundings.


I pulled in to the available parking space at the small park. My little guy jumped out and began playing on the slides and monkey bars.

It was a beautiful, sunny day. I could feel the suns warm light embrace my skin. I thanked the Lord that I lived in the sunny state of Florida and began to take in the beautiful sights of this small historical town.

As I continued my visual endeavor I noticed a man sitting on a park bench just a few feet from me and my son. He kept looking over at me and smiling. He started singing in broken English swaying from side to side. I noticed that he was holding a bottle that was cleverly covered by a paper bag.

He had apparently been drinking something other than cool-aid. I started to think it was time to leave the park.

But the Lord spoke to me.He told me under no circumstances was I to go anywhere. "Why?" I asked. I wanted to argue with the Lord Himself, telling Him that it was not safe for me or my son.

The next thing that happened still blows me away to this day!

The Lord told me to get up and go over to the drunken man. What? Now this is crazy I thought. But one thing I have learned about the Lord, He is radical and when it comes to saving souls; anything goes.

So I told my little one I was going over to speak with the gentleman sitting on the park bench, and to continue playing. As I approached this man he had different ideas in mind. The Lord already had his hand in this one. So placing all my trust in Him I continued.

The small dark skinned man began flirting and jeering as if I was to be his newest girlfriend. It was then that I looked into the eyes of my brother. All I could see was his pain and his need for God. Love overwhelmed me and as I placed my hands over his head I began to pray. I Prayed in the Holy Spirit and proceeded to tell him of a God who loved him more than my words could express. The small man put down his cleverly covered bottle. His small frame hunched over with his hands covering his face. He began to weep in his shame. For he knew he could not hide from God any longer! I grabbed his hand and told him that there was no condemnation in Jesus Christ!

He looked up at me and said, Thank-you lady, thank-you lady. You dont need to thank me, I said. Thank Jesus.

I picked up my boy, gave him a hug and returned home.

I have never seen the man in the park since that day.
But I think of him often. I think how powerful our words can be if we are speaking the Lords words. I think of how a drunken man was transformed into a drunken spirit through the love of Jesus!

Sometimes when we think we are but one vessel and we cant reach even the town drunk, God will use our vessel to reach that very person. God will use us for His Glory to reach anyone at any time. Our Lord is radical so be prepared.

I continue to be a humble servant for the Lord! I continue to listen for His instructions. For I can never be too sure when I will be instructed to speak with another drunk, another homeless person, another addict, or another hurting person. For they are all my bothers and sisters.


My command is this:Love each other, as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:12,13

Suellen Fry-Washington was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1957. She now resides in Bradenton, Florida with her and 8 year old son. As an aspiring Christian writer she hopes that her stories will touch someone's heart and perhaps change the direction of someone's life!

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