saint jesse

Have you ever known someone, briefly or for a long period of time, who changed your life just by the way they lived theirs? Jesse was one of those people for me. 

Saturday morning, we woke up and traveled to West Nashville where we were to spend the day serving the homeless. This was definitely one of the most rewarding experiences of our trip. We spent the whole day working at a food pantry and serving wonderful people who, for a multitude of different reasons, needed an extra hand. We met some incredible people, but our personal favorite was a man named Jesse. Val and I took Jesse out to lunch after serving at the food pantry, and our 3 hour long conversation opened my eyes to a beautiful life. Jesse lives under a bridge in West Nashville. He's a diabetic. He was stabbed and left for dead. His father was a pastor. He's got a smile that could light up a room. All of these facts tell you a little bit about Jesse, but sit down with him for 5 minutes and you'll learn so much more. His life is a miracle. This man certainly should not be alive...but the Lord has sustained him through near-death experiences over and over again. Jesse's knowledge of the Word could shame most "Christians" in our country. He lives with such a raw faith. He knows his Jesus and loves Him like crazy. I could go into major detail with the story of how the Lord saved his life, but I don't want to turn this post into a novel. Long story short, he was stabbed, left for dead, and having a diabetic attack. Somehow, scratch that...through the Grace of God, he was taken to the hospital by a nephew who just HAPPENED to be in the area at the time of the stabbing. Jesse was slit from his neck to his belly button. Again, by the grace of God, the only doctor in the United States who could perform the surgery he needed just happened to be in the hospital visiting a friend. Jesse's life was saved and I can see why...he shines the light of Jesus wherever he goes. His faith rocked me. Am I truly living out my faith, the way Jesus intended - by sitting comfortably on my couch in 73 degree AC, typing a blog on my computer? Or does Jesus call us to get dirty? To get our hands muddy with the baggage and filth of each others' lives? Just something to think about. 

The road trip could have ended here and we both would have been satisfied. But we had much more to see and do. After checking out Music Row and the Grand Ole Opry, we went into the city that night for a "Taste of Nashville" party where they shut down a street and open up a bunch of tents for local vendors. Live bands played music as we sipped cold beer...ahhh what could be better? 

On our way back home, we passed many musicians hoping for their chance to be heard. 

Goodnight, Nashville. We'll miss you! Tomorrow, we're headed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama!