Cleveland and the Down Jacket Miracle

CEO Unplugged. Thoughts at the traffic circle of professional, personal and digital.        

It was our first Fall in Cleveland. Summer faded fast behind skies turned dark and grey. It was cold. Not a Texas "cold" or California "cold". A deep bone chilling lake effect "cold" that settled and would not thaw till Spring. Our church group was pretty active and we lit up our make-shift food truck Friday evenings and headed to the downtown homeless shelters. One of our crew was a chef by day, who by weekend night, transformed himself and his Silverado top-pop camper to create some pretty decent hot food.

Friday's we met up at our east side church. While some pulled supplies from our community food pantry to stock the food truck, others put together the modest care packages of toiletries and sundries to share with those interested. We made our way down Prospect and Superior to the shelters and set up our mobile restaurant. In addition to hot meals and care packages, we just talked with everyone, shared hugs and listened to their stories. I recall their stories were not much different than our own stories.

We never pressed our faith. We didn’t hide it either. If people wanted to pray we would. Every week it was about the same. Praying for jobs to get off the street. Praying for healing in relationships. Prayers for freedom from addiction. Prayers of reconciliation. Prayers for a one-way ticket out of town. One Friday in November, a middle-aged man’s prayer request was for a winter coat, a down jacket specifically. He stood there with us in the cold dressed only in a light jacket. We formed a broken circle and bowed our heads, closed our eyes and prayed. At that moment I identified immediately with the Apostle Thomas, you know the one known for doubting miracles. While Sally prayed, I was thinking this guy is going to be really really disappointed! When she was done with her most earnest and passionate plea for the man to have a coat, I think I finished with something fairly generic and 'safe", exchanged hugs and went back to the food truck.

I took a few steps towards the truck before pivoting to turn back the other direction. I looked straight at the man we had just prayed for. He had this gigantic smile, perhaps the biggest one I ever saw. There he stood before me. Wearing a brand-new winter coat. A down jacket specifically.

I learned I am not different than those we serve.

I learned action enables great experiences.

I learned to have more faith in people and God.

I learned that serving others brings joy.

I learned to be thankful in all circumstances.

I learned the criticality of spending time with people.

I learned the importance of serving others as a family.

I learned that God uses people who make themselves available.

Okay for my fellow doubters. How did the coat appear?

This is how it all came down. As Sally and I were praying, one of our Team was passing by and heard the prayers about a new coat. On her way to the evenings event, she purchased a new coat for Christmas for her husband. Her van was parked right by the tree where we prayed. She heard Sally, felt a spiritual nudge, opened her van door and grabbed the coat. During the time we finished the prayer, hugged and I walked away, she gave the coat to the man who promptly put it on. At that moment I turned back towards them. ?