Years ago, after a long day at a client's office, I knew I was facing terrible traffic on the way home. So, I stopped at a supermarket to buy a drink before my ordeal.
Exiting the store, I was confronted by a man at a table with a banner asking for donations. He was a black man and big -- NFL linebacker big -- maybe 6'6" and 300 pounds. He asked if I had a minute, and facing an hour's drive, it was easy to give it to him. He shook my hand. His was huge, like a baseball glove, and warm and soft. His demeanor was nothing short of loving. A man-mountain of love. I can't seem to forget that.
He explained how he and his friends had established a home for men in need: AIDS sufferers, newly-released inmates and the homeless. He showed me a scrapbook of his charges' tiny living spaces within the house rented for them.
Each page represented an individual with a picture of his living area, squeaky-clean and tidy, with personal items like clocks, family pictures and bibles atop a small night table next to a single bed. There was even a picture of each smiling face, in varying states of dentition, most reflecting many hard years of life. I was genuinely impressed by what I was seeing and hearing. It felt warm, inclusive and supportive.
The solicitor explained the purpose of the home and included a description of it as a "Christian house." He must have seen the concern on my face and he continued.
"By `Christian house,' I mean that we are trying to follow Christ's teachings. The men's well being, their housing and welfare, are our sole concerns. We don't ask them their beliefs."
"Of course, they are always welcome to worship with us."
As affected by this man's approach as I was, I made a large donation, certainly by his standards. He enveloped my hand with his and said, "God bless you." And I said something I never say: "God bless you."
As I walked to my car, it occurred to me. Why is it: when a black man tells me he's a Christian, I know he is a religious man. But when a white man tells me he's a Christian, I only know he's a Republican.