James Dobbs counted out all the money he had in the world, some of which he had made from selling most of his belongings in a yard sale. In total, he had a little more than twelve hundred dollars. This was enough, he thought, to make it to California if he was frugal. Once he got there, he felt certain that God would provide him with whatever else he might need to fulfill his role in God’s plan.
As he put the money in his pocket he looked at the things that were left over from his yard sale, the things no one had bought. There weren’t many items. A set of pots and pans, an alarm clock, a framed print of a quote from the Bible—Mark 12:31, You shall love your neighbor as yourself—a few pairs of shoes, and four packs of unopened dental floss. He felt bad throwing these items away, but he knew they would be of no use to him from that moment on.
He put the items into a box and walked toward the community dumpster in the back of the parking lot of his apartment complex. As he approached it, he saw his next-door neighbor approaching it as well, carrying a bag of trash. As they met at the dumpster, James held the lid open for him to toss in his trash bag and his neighbor said, “I saw you out here earlier. Yard sale, huh? Just doing some spring cleaning or are you moving?”
God was ruler and creator of everything. Jesus Christ was his son. Neither of these entities cared if you were straight or gay or how you voted or about anything else other than how you treated other people. The universe was vast, and somewhere in it, God must have created other forms of life. The purpose of these other forms of life would likely never be known to humanity, which would likely never even encounter it. Sex was something that could be indulged in for fun or for procreation. The beauty of it was that it was so versatile, and this was the way God had made it. Children were good, and necessary to further the human race, but not everyone should have them, and in some cases, remaining childless was the most honest decision a person could make. These were things that James’s neighbor understood to be true.
James explained that he was going on a trip and he didn’t know how long he’d be gone, so he had sold some of his belongings for extra money to help him fund his travels.
His neighbor said, “Oh. Are you keeping the apartment?”
James told his neighbor that he wasn’t keeping the place, because he didn’t know how long he’d be gone or if he’d ever come back, but he didn’t know who was moving in after him. He submitted his notice to the building manager and that was that. He further explained that he also quit his job.
His neighbor said, “Wow, clean break and a fresh start. That actually sounds really nice, man. I think most people wish they could do something like that. Well, for what it’s worth, I know we didn’t really get to know each other or anything, but you were a great neighbor, man. About the best anyone could ask for. Quiet and everything, you know?”
James thanked his neighbor and told him that he was sorry they never got a chance to sit down and have a conversation. He thought that they might have gotten along pretty well, maybe even become friends.
His neighbor said, “Yeah, probably. So when are you leaving? Are you around tonight? Maybe get a beer or something?”
James told his neighbor that he was leaving as soon as he finished with the trash. He was looking forward to the next chapter in his life and he couldn’t wait to start. Then, as James raised the box with the leftover items toward the dumpster, he saw the framed print of the quote from Mark 12:31. Feeling that this might be another sign from God, he took the framed print out of the box and asked his neighbor if he’d have a spot somewhere in his apartment for it.
His neighbor said, “Uh, yeah, I think I could find a spot. You sure you don’t want to just take this with you, though? It’s nice. You can hang it up in your next place.”
James became immediately nervous. Perhaps he’d overstepped, or perhaps this man wasn’t even Christian. James asked him what his spiritual affiliation was.
His neighbor said, “Oh, I’m Christian. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s nice, and it’s very nice of you, too. I just didn’t want to take something that seems to be kind of important to you, you know? I mean, if it’s something that was personal to you, you should keep it.”
James was relieved that his neighbor was Christian. He explained that he felt it was fitting he should give it to his neighbor, especially because they didn’t really know one another. It made the act even more reflective of the true meaning of the passage.
James’s neighbor accepted the gift and said, “Well, thank you. I’ll definitely put it up in my kitchen tonight.”
James told his neighbor that would make him happy, and that he’d think about it when he was on the road. Then James lifted the box and tossed the other remnants in the dumpster.
His neighbor said, “Well, thanks for this, really. It was way too nice of you. Have a safe trip and good luck with whatever you’re doing next.”
James thanked him and wished him well. His neighbor walked back up into his apartment and James made his way to his car. He had nothing now except his car, his phone, and the money in his pocket. He had no plan beyond getting to California—he had decided to head for Los Angeles unless God directed him elsewhere—and he had no means of supporting himself. He knew he should have been nervous, but he wasn’t. Instead James felt free and exhilarated. He felt free from the normal burdens that most people are shackled by. He had no more reason to worry about his bills or his job. Like a knife freshly sharpened and lying on the butcher’s block ready to be used, James felt honed to a point by God himself. He knew God was watching every move he made with great interest, and he wouldn’t disappoint him.
As James pulled out of the parking lot he took one last look back at the complex. He had spent his entire adult life living in that one-bedroom apartment, and there was some small part of him that was sad to be leaving, but he knew that was just the Devil trying to make him second-guess what he knew he had to do. He got in his car, turned out into the street, and headed for the highway. As he did, he said a prayer thanking God for this opportunity and promising God that he wouldn’t fail.