You see, when I say famous ... he wasn't one of glamour or wealth. He wasn't one that many people knew. A matter-of-fact, many of you have never heard of him. But if you have ever visited San Francisco, and toured the area you more likely had a run in with him - and even a scare.
The Bush Man.
I have come to an age where I know that many of us have the same struggles ... finances, parenting, job influences and the list goes on. However, I admit it wasn't even too long ago that I could look at a person and size them up by saying: "They don't understand. They don't have the same situation as I do". You know there is some truth in that, as we all have our different upbringings and circumstances. But we do all battle the same kind of struggles, we just handle them sometimes differently.
And with that thought, I thought of the Bush Man.
If anyone has been in San Francisco, you would find him amongst the many street entertainers that greet you along Fisherman Wharf. In the midst of the entertainment, you would find what appears to be a bush growing on the sidewalk. And as you approached it, the Bush Man would jump out and scare you, and then fall quickly right back into position. I have fallen for this many of times. Now, on the other side of the street where he was you would find a huge crowd gathered watching and laughing as each victim would approach. The Bush Man was a huge success.
I can't help but wonder when he would finish his day, and in the quietness of the hour how he might have doubted his talent. He could have had that thought; "oh, I'm not talented like those other men on the street", "if only I could be like them". And then I even wondered if he too battled the thought that he hasn't done anything great with his life, hasn't impacted anyone or had a purpose.
I pray that he died in peace, without these thoughts. But his death did get me thinking.
I battle those thoughts. I compare myself to you and others that I meet, and size myself up as not being like you or them, and wishing I could be that much better. I too have questioned my greatness and purpose, and have wondered if I have impacted anyone. But this week I have remembered the Bush Man.
He may not have saw himself as value or greatness. But I did. He may have saw his homeless state and thought he should have done something better with his life. However, I see him living selflessly, bringing joy to strangers that he didn't even know, enjoying life as it was and being content with how life was. And isn't that one of our purposes in life, finding the joy of the life God has given us and bringing it to those we do life with? Aren't we to be thankful in all circumstances and considering it all joy?
Oh, Bush Man ... you have taught me a great lesson. And for that I'm thankful. I will miss you when I visit. But I will promise you this, I will find the joy in life God has given me and choose to be thankful. And as I find my joy and thankfulness in God, and focus on these things ... I too will impact those around me.
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