stephen R Harrison

I recall a divine appointment at the gas pump. I pulled in between two buses: a prison bus facing one direction and a Christian college bus facing the other. I thought, “this is the tale of two busses”.

As I pumped gas I thought about choices. We all have to make them. Some choose wisely and others choose foolishly. I know kids I went to Christian college with that made horrible decisions. I’ve been in the barracks of prisons with men who’ve made God-honoring decisions. The bus on the outside doesn’t always accurately depict the perceived choices of the people on the inside.

I thought about image. We are all made in God’s image. Whatever foolish choices we’ve made that were in college or that led to prison, God wants us to wisely choose Him. Thank God his mercies are new every morning and whatever bus we’re on, we can choose Him.

I thought about prayer. I prayed for the people on both busses. Both need continued hope, wisdom, encouragement, and strength that only come from Jesus. Both bus loads need Jesus.

I noticed a hand on the widow of the Christian college bus. It seemed, with eyes closed and hand extended, they were praying for those on the prison bus. I turned to look at the prison bus in hopes of finding a similar hand in the window symbolic of receiving those prayers but did not. But prayers were made. If not by them, by me.

Pray for those you come in contact with today, no matter what bus you find them on.