A Day with Al

Kelli Trontel and Vanessa Warren have initiated a new campaign called TIME = LOVE.

Let’s change the mindset that to serve and love people well you have to spend money. Here’s the truth: TIME = LOVE.

We all have the heart to serve others, yet we stop ourselves with excuses. So, we’re on a mission to spark a new flame. Love is the universal language of the world and it is how God desires to use us to impact this world. We are all on mission . . . everyday, every interaction. We want to awaken people to see that the most important person is the one right in front of them.

So, we want to challenge you and your family to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus right in your own communities. From now until December 20, we want to encourage all of you to go and find ways to help those in need and share stories in hopes that they ignite ideas and continue to inspire us to keep loving more. Please comment with ideas that you have enjoyed doing in the past—we’d love to hear them!

Brokenness and hurt surrounds you, forcing you see it. And when you’ve seen it, you’re responsible. We’re responsible. So, what are we going to do about it? While we can’t make it go away, we can carry a message of hope with us—that the story truly does have a beautiful ending and it’s called redemption. #lovewritesabeautifulstory #timeequalslove

*****

A few months ago, I noticed a man sitting outside of my church, on the same bench, week after week. You know that feeling you get deep down inside that prompts you to do something that you’re not always comfortable doing?! Well, that happened.

So, I walked up to this man who was sitting on the bench, with what seemed to be all of his personal belongings stuffed tightly in plastic crates and wrapped with bungee cord. I introduced myself and conversation grew effortlessly. His name was Al. And Al was awesome. His laugh was infectious and his love for people and Jesus was so inspiring. I walked away thinking he is the epitome of “Even though . . . I will.” Whatever those dots represent between those words (I have no money, lost my job, living on the streets) . . . I will get back up. And getting back up meant small steps like getting to church every single weekend. That was inspiring to me.

After getting to know Al for a few months (and learning that he was planning on leaving town for a warmer winter climate), I knew I wanted to give Al some amount of money to help him on his travels, but it was obvious to me that Al wasn’t just about the money. He was a people person. He mentioned that the hug I gave him the day we met was the first hug he had been given in months! He also told me a story where someone pulled over on the side of the road to give him a hug, instead of money—and since four years had passed and he was still talking about it, I knew Al was a people person. I knew that money wasn’t all I had in my possession to give. There was more. Al appreciated time—something we all have—and he greatly valued it.

In 2010, my dad unexpectedly passed away, and the message and legacy that my dad left on my life is all about time. My dad made time for me. He made time for strangers. He helped people out. He helped the down and out. He was very aware of those around him.

On September 23, which just so happened to be on my dad’s birthday (so not a coincidence), I spent the morning with Al, enjoying breakfast and treating him to a haircut and straight razor shave. Al shared with me that he’s been writing a book . . . a book of his life, his story, his travels. He showed me his street setup—what all he carries around in his roller pack, how his most precious and treasured items are carefully wrapped in plastic, inside paper bags.

Al shared his fears—anxious thoughts that plague him daily, which most recently included whether or not I would even show up for breakfast or if he would be stood up. Obsessing over how people will react to him in public places, including the church he attended and the breakfast joint we ate in. Sounds a lot like what you and I may be anxious about from time to time. Conversations like this bridged the differences we may have in this season of life, and boiled it all down to sheer fact that we are all human beings; we’re more similar than we may think once the veils are pulled away.

Before it was time to say our goodbyes, I asked him to tell me what he would tell the world if he had a microphone loud enough for all to hear, and this is what he said:

“Don’t walk by like we have cancer, or we have the plague or leprosy. Find out where we came from before you judge us. It’s okay if you give us a dollar, but when people take the time, it’s worth so much more. People don’t take the time these days. They just don’t have the time. We are all from somewhere; we have all been places. We may have things that prevent us from keeping a job or prevent us from being a part of society. Just take the time. Five minutes or ten minutes you sit there and watch TV or play with your gadgets, but you see someone on the side of the road holding up their sign and you don’t even take a moment to look up, smile or talk to them.”

And this was pretty amazing too:

“I have to remind myself that I am a mighty warrior because sometimes I feel like I am not enough. I feel like I need to have more to do more, but those are lies from the enemy. I can still make a difference in this world. I’m a warrior.”

Yes, I took Ezra along with me (and a friend, so we were not alone). I want my son to see more of this in our lives. I want him to learn from a young age that time and attention are things we all have in our possession to give and it’s how we choose to spend them that matters. I believe the lessons in life worth fighting for are to be taught by example. Words alone aren’t always as effective.

Sometimes we face guilt, opposition and/or misunderstanding when doing good, especially when posting online. Many of us feel like we would be bragging if we posted about how we took hold of an amazing opportunity we had to show someone the love of Jesus. Social media can be weird in that way, but in my opinion only you know the motives in your heart and the judging needs to stop. I mean, how many fashion posts or home tours do we see on a daily basis? I believe those kinds of posts can be opportunities to encourage and inspire others who are passionate about nesting and making their house a home—so why would posting content such as serving or loving someone automatically be wrong? We believe that God can use social media and our desire is to be light among men, using any and all platforms that we’ve been given, and leveraging those to point people to Jesus.

We also believe there is great power in sharing our stories and our experiences, especially when inspiration and courage rise up and lead to action.

I thought I was approaching Al to serve him, to pay attention to him, and to bless him, but truthfully, I needed Al more than Al needed me. I love that God works this way. My encounter with Al rocked my world. I am forever changed.

Love writes a beautiful story, and I don’t ever want to miss out on that!

Be encouraged. Be inspired. Be brave. Be love.

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