I met Pablo today in the Boston Commons while he was singing Spanish music. I couldn’t understand what he was singing, but it sounded beautiful. He was such a friendly man. When he saw my camera, Pablo told me that he used to take pictures in the ’60′s back in Mexico City. He had a Nikon film camera. Every time he developed his film, the rolls always unwind to be feet long! Pablo also proudly informed me that he write his own music. He has officially written 75 “melodies”. I didn’t learn all this from his perfect English. He spoke in Spanish 75% of the time, but he was really good at explaining to me by using his hands and some Spanglish. After I put some money in his suite case, I also gave him my Mary Kay hand cream that I was carrying in my purse. I told him that it would help his hands during winter since he’s outside a lot. I also told him that it smells really good. He wasn’t too sure what it was for so I had to show him my ashy and crackling knuckles on my hands and he understood.

Pablo and I said our good-byes and I told him that his music was beautiful.

This is Harold Lawton. I met him Saturday in the Boston Commons at a small dock by the frozen over pond. It was because of our meeting that I had felt God’s presence and His sovereignty more than I have in the past. If I was to change even just one detail about all the events leading up to meeting Harold that day, then I for sure would not have met him at all. If I had met John for breakfast, then I wouldn’t have met Harold. If I would’ve went to see my grandma that early afternoon, I would not have met Harold. If the snow and the coldness would have stopped me from wanting to go outside to take some pictures, then I would not have met Harold. We were there at that place and at that time because God was willing. So who is Harold Lawton?

He is a 60-something-year-old man who was setting up his sleeping spot on the dock. He spoke to me first about something that I now have forgotten. I wasn’t looking for him. It took me a few minutes before I realized he was without a home. We chatted for a little bit. We talked about the Navy, about retirement in the Navy, and about school. He smiled and asked me if I was a Christian when I mentioned to him one of my philosophies in life, “Wherever I am and whatever I am doing, I know I will be okay.” So after that we talked about God. Harold believed in God. Matter of fact, he grew up in a church family. A lot of his family members are ministers.

After talking for about thirty minutes, I got extremely cold. I was dying to be somewhere warm with a cup of coffee. So I asked him to show me where the closest one is within walking distance and if he would like to come with me. He agreed and we made our way to an Au Bon Pain. I told him that he could get whatever he wants since he’s already here so he got a cup of coffee and a Turkey Club sandwich. I just got a coffee because I wasn’t hungry. I suggested that we should eat/drink there because it was pretty cold outside. So we sat down and continued our conversation.

Harold told me a lot about himself. He told me that he has been married for 15 years. He has two kids and both of his kids are now married. Harold is actually a grandparent. I was some what confused so I asked him, “Where is your wife?” He answered, “You can find her in a church.” I didn’t exactly knew what he meant. He also told me how there are witches all over Boston. I asked him, “Witches.. what do you mean witches? Like a witch witch?” He smiled and quietly said, “Yeah.” So I asked him, ” So how can you tell if someone is a witch or not because I’ve never been exposed to this kind of thing.” He basically told me that witches could be anybody. He could easily be a witch himself and I wouldn’t know. He assured me that he’s not. Witches will never tell you the truth. They always lie. Harold told me that he grew up learning how to identify a witch and fighting a witch from his father. After hearing all this I told him, “Well, I don’t know how I feel about witches, but I do believe in the devil and demons. There are demons and angels all around us.” He just smiled.

So after hearing all these far fetched things that Harold told me about him, I thought that there might be a slight chance that he could be lying to me about everything that he’s been saying to me. How do I really know if his name really is Harold? But then, I thought, “So what if he is lying, he’s probably just really enjoying my company right now, being someone that he could just tell stories to or whatever.”

One of the things that Harold talked about his view on God. He said that he became a Christian when he was about 14 years old. From then on, he was kinda overwhelmed by all these rules and do’s and don’t-do’s that come along with Christianity. He felt like God was “strict”. He felt like he could never get it right. Harold said that it wasn’t until five years ago that he stopped thinking God was strict. He thinks it’s because he had reached a level of spiritual maturity that he could see that for himself. I simply told him about the wonderfulness of God’s grace and love.

We sat there for a couple of hours just talking and him eating. Finally, I realized the time and had to leave. Before we left the place, I asked him, “Is there anything I could get you before I leave?” I thought he would reply with another cup of coffee or another sandwich for later. Harold genuinely replied, “Just another visit.” I told him I would be more than happy to do that.

We walked back to his place in the park. Before I left him, I asked if I could pray with him for him. He agreed. So I prayed a simple prayer of God’s love over him. When the prayer was done, I looked up to say good bye and I could see tears forming in his eyes. I gave him a hug and told him that I will see him later.

I took a picture of him so I could always remember him and pray for him. Also, in case I could never find him again.

I learned a lot of people know who God is, but not everyone knows what God is about and what He represents. Sometimes, people need to be shown God’s love just like how I need to be shown God’s love from other people.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
– Psalm 9: 9-10

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is  man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

– Psalm 8: 3-8