"It's FREE you know"

About a year ago we moved into a small house in a quiet neighborhood in old town Longmont. To our East was a brand new rebuilt house that was empty and for sale... it was the only thing between us and "The Church at Longmont" that sits on the corner. For over 11 months on Sundays (and Wednesdays) people would come and go and often we would see them (and they would see us). Until today, no one spoke to us from there. In fact, no one even really looked our way long enough for us to catch their gaze and speak.

Today was different. He pulled up in a pickup I've seen parked in the same parking spot almost every week for the whole year. He stepped out of his truck, straightened his jeans and shirt and confidently looked over at us to say "Good morning".

What came next I almost couldn't believe. With an air of arrogance and condescension his head motioned toward the building and said "It's FREE you know".

The old me wanted to say something that showed this arrogant religionist how blind he really is. But asking Father what to say He was silent and confirmed in me there was nothing to say.

So many thoughts passed through my mind as the man walked into the building.

HIM: "It's FREE you know"

ME: "Do you know that YOU are NOT?"

HIM: "It's FREE you know"

ME: "You have no idea how much it has cost you... you have no joy."

HIM: "It's FREE you know"

ME: "Then why are they always pushing you for money?"

HIM: "It's FREE you know"

ME: "No, but Jesus meant what it represents to truly set you free and you don't even see it."

So sad. I weep for his blindness, yet he is not my assignment.