You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

I was at Wal-Mart the other day and met a great man, Dustin...but first let's rewind.

Back at the turn of the century I found a passion for persons with developmental disabilities.  This passion was found at FUMC in Wichita, KS where I worked at the RNC (Religious Nurture Center).  It was there that I found such wonderful, challenging and growing experience.  Then I had to move away to head to college but was still able to work with that population and it became more of "I'm going to hang out with the guys" then "work."  A couple years later I found myself driving the special ed bus, pure joy, chaos, love, chaos, but most of all love.  Then I graduated, got a job and moved and that part of my life, that beautify written chapter of my life had come to an end.

Then I met Dustin.

I was rocking out my most awesome Mario hoodie, that Crystal (the wife) gave me for a wedding present (though i'm saddened by the small holes he is developing).  Suddenly I'm greeted by a young man who was very excited to tell me about his triumphs and struggles to beat the dreaded Bowser.  He's one tough lizard, I commented and shared some of my own struggles defeating Bowser.  We continue down the chip aisle and he asks my name and I ask his with which he replies "Dustin."  I look up to the adult that was accompanying him and turns out my thoughts of this young man perhaps copying me were squelched with a simple head nod of, yea that's his name too.

We had a short talk, a brief discussion of how my last name was a bad word and ironically Crystal shared the same catastrophe.  Yet, Dustin's companion gently explained that it was our name and not a bad word.  Dustin was also fascinated by the unbelievable amount of soda we had in the cart.  I explained it was for our youth group. And then just as fast as he came into my life he was gone.

But Dustin was a bright shinning star on my path of life, a gentle reminder of my love for that population.  So full of child like faith, courage, intrigue and splendor.  I was riding high and hope I blessed him as he blessed me.  For far to many times we dismiss those people who are different, those people we don't understand.  I hope to run into Dustin again at Wal-Mart someday.


It was working with people like Dustin, that created friendships and connections that have become priceless to me; the passion stirred in me, shook me to my core.  We may not understand the world, people may scare us, they may seem weird.  But the one thing that I learned, it's the world that has labeled them as strange or different not the people themselves.  They are just like everyone else, of course they are.  Created in the image of the Farther in heaven.  I'm so delighted to have the opportunity to see the many faces of God through these people and am recently very thankful for the face of God though Dustin.

Keep strong Dustin, for one day you too will conquer that lizard we have come to have a love hate relationship with, Bowser.