Out Our Way: Angel on a four–wheeler

“Preach the Gospel at all times but only use words when necessary” — St. Francis of Assisi

Out our way, Hi-Line folks get the point of that beloved saint who is so often portrayed as holding a bird or other animal. Legend has it that animals just took to this man of God because the love of God so clearly shone in him they could just sense it. There may be something to that as I have noticed dogs, cats and small children seem to “read” people and know who is the good guy and who might be trouble.

I would love to be such a loving and caring person that anyone who is all sensitive to things of the spirit would feel God’s peace and love in me. I guess that is why I am so delighted when the children run up to me for a hug at church, and most dogs wag their tails when I come near. Goliath has always been patient with me, even out in the pasture with the halter and lead rope plainly visible, he just stands, and lowers his head when I approach. Babe, on the other hand, runs when she sees the lead rope. Does she not like me? Or is she just lazy? 

But back to the St. Francis quote.  I have noticed that sometimes the folks that appear to be the most religious — the biggest braggarts about their faith and Bible thumping — are often the most repulsive to the rest of the world and the major reason some folks won’t come to church.  I suspect at times I have been the cause of some folks avoiding the sanctuary of the Lord for those who are more concerned about their dislike of me than their love of God. Let’s face it — sometimes our loud professions of faith, a quotation of scriptures, just doesn’t seem to square with the way we live our lives. 

  But then there are those, who, like St. Francis, are more concerned with being a Christian than in telling everyone they are. Like my angel on the four-wheeler the other day. It was a cold, and gloomy and still snowing Saturday afternoon. Like many other local congregations, we cannot afford a full-time pastor, let alone a maintenance person. We depend on volunteers to come and shovel the half block of church property. Fortunately there are several people who regularly take on this job, including me. Living next door to the sanctuary, I have helped clear snow throughout the winter along with others.  It is cold and sometimes hard going, but we need to do it so folks can pass along the side walks and especially before worship services so everyone can get to the Sanctuary.

So as it happens I was the first to arrive with snow shovel and began the long and arduous task of clearing off the sidewalks, steps and entry ways. And then suddenly this dude on a four-wheeler with a plow on the front comes zooming along, turns onto the sidewalk and plows out the whole front of the church! Not content to just clear the side walk, he also clears the large area in front of the social hall, making pass after pass to clear away the snow.

I approach and begin to thank him for his very welcome help, and he just smiles, waves and finishes the job. I know who he is and I know he is NOT a member of this congregation. I remember his picture in the Havre Daily News when he was volunteering to serve at St. Jude’s annual turkey dinner for the community. I remember him coming over when the transformer outside the church went haywire and helping us get the electrical power back on. I know this man. I know his business. And I know he is a man of God — not because he goes around and tells people he is, he just lives the faith by doing for others.

I will not embarrass you, my friend, by telling others your identity. But I know who you are and so does God.  You are an angel — messenger, representative — of God! And I give the Lord thanks for you and your family here in Havre, for they honor you by being like you. This I have seen and know. I suspect others know it as well, and indeed, others have followed your example, for there are numerous angels about town during the winter snows who simply serve others without cost or waiting to be asked. They simply want to serve their neighbor. The Lord bless you all.

(John Bruington is pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Havre. Copies of the “Out Our Way” column and cartoon, as well as his weekly cartoon and children’s message series “Bruin-Town Tales,” can be viewed at the church website: http://www.havrepres.org. The book “Out Our Way: Theology Under Saddle” is also available at amazon.com.)