Meet Melvin.

I posted on my facebook status this morning that I was headed out for a very inspiring photo shoot at Lake Eola.

I had something up my sleeve that I was very much looking forward to. Turns out, that my little plan did not yet come to fruition. My subjects were unable to make it to the park due to an injury, so that will hopefully happen some other time soon.

It's just like God to surprise me, though, with still allowing my inspiring shoot to happen. :)

Meet Melvin.

Melvin was walking, pushing a bike and a plastic grocery bag around Lake Eola. He saw me reading my Bible and muttered, "Let your journey be a peaceful one my dear." It struck me, kind of like something that Morgan Freeman would say to a character in a movie when they'd better be listening. It helps that he sort of favors Morgan Freeman, yes. I also thought, you know, maybe God just had that man walk by me and give me His encouraging words. And so I got out my phone and recorded it in my notepad as he walked away, always one to want to remember things like that.

I then walked around, looking for the folks that I was supposed to meet there. And here comes Melvin. For a split second, I thought, oh crap. What does he want from me. I fought with myself, thinking, oh maybe I could make a beeline for the bathroom. And then, come on Melonie. Have a little compassion. Before I had the chance to make a decision, there was Melvin standing right in front of me.

Melvin is 56 years old. He lives in a shelter nearby to Lake Eola. For over 20 years, Melvin was a crackhead. He has been in jail in the past on numerous occasions. But, Melvin did not ask me for money. He did not make one inappropriate gesture of any kind toward me. Instead, he just wanted to talk. And so we did. For about an hour. He shared with me his gospel and was gracious enough to let me share mine with him. He gave my seminary education a good run for it's money as I attempted to answer questions about the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, and when Jesus came to be. We flipped through our (very different) versions of the Bible together.

He said that he loved to talk to people about spirituality because he loves to learn, and I believe him. As a matter of fact, I believe everything that Melvin said to me this morning. He had several verses of the Bible memorized, especially the ones that advanced the message of Jehovah's Witnesses. But, he also listened to me, and respected my rebuttals, and even seemed to consider them at times. As we finished up our discussion, I asked him if he would let me take his picture. Melvin was slightly sheepish, but said yes. When I showed him the images, he said insecurely, "I am getting so old." He then flipped through pictures to show me his newborn grandchild and even one of him when he was "much younger."

When I first got to Lake Eola this morning, I was shocked to see so many homeless people. I was tempted to try and document this, but the better part of judgement led me to seek the counsel of a park attendant, who confirmed that it may be a little dangerous for me to do, being there alone and all. Apparently, God had in order for me to do a documentary anyways. :)

It now hits me that often, I am in such a hurry to get somewhere or have an experience that I have this tendency to lost sight of the reality around me. Yes, at times, my own reality is overwhelming and dramatic enough. But still. There is a whole world out there that I can forget about. Thank you Melvin for seeking me out and wanting to engage with me. Thank you God for the gentle reminder that there is so much more out there in this world than me and my own problems and list of things to do. And, of course, thank you Melvin for letting me take your picture....