The Bum
I am a real story song kind of guy! When I was traveling back from Nashville after a very cool session with great musicians and a great studio, I was feeling real proud of my accomplishment and sure that my new quiver of songs would hit the mark and I would end my cycle of endless near misses and “almost made its”.
As I sat in the concourse at The Nashville International Airport I found myself sitting next to a man who was very poorly dressed, unshaved, unshowered, and basically looked like a bum. He had crutches from a knee injury. It was a crowded place with people sitting on the floor and standing, so I was glad I had a seat in spite of the fact that I had to sit next to him. He began to strike up a conversation with me and I humored him even though I would have preferred to be sitting alone and basking in my own sense of self worth.
In our one way conversation I was surprised and ashamed to learn that he was returning from the mission field after being in Africa for a year! I suddenly felt like a judgmental pharisee, or as anyone else would say, a self righteous bigot! Here, I thought I was the one God had called to bring his message to the world through my
songs, and suddenly I found myself judging a man who really was bringing that message to the world in a tangible way! God forgive me!
“The Bum” is not completely true in detail, but the lesson I took away from this encounter is. We are to love all people, not based on who they are, but based on who Jesus is. If the man truly was a “bum” should I have loved him any less?
Click to Hear My Song: “The Bum”
Fantastic, Rod! What a great song…and what a great story. So true of most of us — far too quick to pass judgment on the other guy. Been there, done that, way too many times myself. Thank you for the song. Maybe the Lord will bring it to my mind then next time I’m sitting on the bench.
Blessings,
Jerry
Rod, you certainly have your heart in the right place, where God can use you to see the truth. Your gift of song writing and singing will be used for His glory. Keep on writing and opening your heart to His truth. God bless you and your family as you walk with your Father.
Rod, what a joy for me to see your heart through stories told and your music. I really do understand how you must have felt. I too was in a similar situation while waiting in the hospital ER one night waiting for our daughter who was being cared for. There I was feeling smug sitting beside a fellow I’d rather not sit beside. When he spoke, I saw such a beautiful heart and realized how judgmental I really have been. This too was another turning point in my life.
God bless you for helping me see me better.
Your brother in Christ.
Ben
Wow….The Bum is so right-on!! Great job, Rod!!! :-)
I had a pal who went to a NYC New Year’s Eve party circa 1989 and he sat beside a “bum” he later discovered was his musical hero: Genius composer of Steeley Dan hits– Donald Fagan. Donald had come from humble roots in Pasaiic , NJ and just didn’t happen to “look” the part of a music celebrity that evening. He told my pal…”Yeah…people are always disappointed when they find out who I am…They seem to just expect someone else….”
We humans are certainly fooled by mere appearances! We never know when we are entertaining angels unaware……
Rod, Thank you so much for your poetic/musical crystallization of your feelings. It definitely brings needed light to the subject and food for thought for us all.
Keep up this incredible work!
Love, Bonnie :-)
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