I saw Jesus today in a simple wave

My Chicago odyssey reached the last chapter today as my wife and I arrived home safely on the City of New Orleans.  I've tried to keep you somewhat entertained with our travel exploits without boring you to tears.  I hope that in some small way that was achieved.  Today though I am home.  But in the last few hours of our journey home a simple and unexpected gesture caught my eye and my heart.

Don't know if you ever traveled by train but it has it's ups and downs.  The view from the window allows you a glimpse of Americana.  Unfortunately I noticed that many of the small towns on the railroad side are poor; possibly very poor.  There are many boarded up buildings and reminders of a better day.  And from time to time I ventured a glimpse of a man or woman, an occasional child, and they all appeared to be poor.  Certainly I have no proof if they be poor or not.  But appearances is about all you have from a double-decker window on the world via Amtrak.

So here we were, just about 4 hours from home, passing through a very small and very sad looking rural community just south of Jackson.  And there he was.  In front of a small and decaying old building, on a road that truly appears to be less traveled, was an elderly man, a son of the deep south, in ragged clothes and weather worn skin, waving enthusiastically and, I believe, sincerely to those of us on the train fortunate enough to catch this gesture of friendship and dare I say, love.

Pointing him out to my wife, she opined that he probably does this every day; marking his daily existence by the rythym of the town and the schedule of the train.  And his wave today for me reminded me, as I traveled home, that even in the simple gesture of a wave, we all can share Jesus!

You see, without knowing him personally, I can imagine that this is a man, despite life's tough breaks, gives all he has to give.  Even if that means stepping outside and waving at the passenger trains that come in and out of his life on a daily basis.  And yes it reminds me of Jesus, who gave all He had to give, Himself, to die for us and open the way to eternal life.  We are called to imitate Jesus, aren't we?  Imitate Him by giving of ourselves for the good of others.  And that's what I saw today in a simple wave; a wave I soon will not forget; a wave that helped me see Jesus today!