A man called Warner .... a Thanksgiving Story

Many people have excuses. They will tell you in excruciating detail why they can't succeed. My dad was cruel and he beat me.....I was born short and could not string words together properly..... etc , etc , etc.

 Yesterday a man walked into the Gallery. He had keen eager eyes that probed and scanned the walls. He was watching me paint a portrait through the window and knocked on the door and asked if he could come in. Politeness has a reward. He told me that he was also an artist and admired anyone who could paint people. Painting portraits was something he just never mastered he said. Some people can come in and talk and essentially  be a time drain. Something gnawed at my spirit and told me to listen to this man. He was missing a tooth and at first I thought by his skinny appearance and peculiar smell that he might be a homeless tweeker ( thats code for Meth Head ). But his story took a turn, he had relocated from Humbolt County and was on a journey to help homeless people by showing them the mercy of God. Hmmm  .... I says .... okay .... that's a different take. He motioned to my paintings of Jesus and asked me if I was a believer and of course I said I was. He began to tell me his story of Redemption.

 Warner was discovered in the garbage. His mother , whom he has never known , discarded him like trash to be dumped. He grew up a ward of the state and lived in Foster care for all of his growing years. I noticed no bitterness or hate or anger from this gentle soul. In fact his eye had a gleam and sparkle that was disarming. I stopped painting and started to listen intently to what he was saying. He said he has experienced the love of God and is now on a mission to help those that are Society's waste see the Light and saving Grace of Our Lord. He says that he reads the Bible every day and that it is his Lifeline.

 I tend to be very focused when I paint and I can't remember all of the story he told me yesterday but just as I was settling to paint today Warner walked in again. We talked some more and I asked him what he was going to do for Thankgiving. He said nothing. I asked him if he would like to join our family for a Wonderful Thanksgiving Feast. I would love to he said.

 So after Thursday, I will post his story of Thanksgiving. How a Life can be redeemed from the Trash and can be valuable and useful and have purpose.

 Count Your Blessings and give thanks to the Most High.