Cassidy:

        Every so often, there are rare moments in life that capture my heart and take me to places I've never understood before. That's how I felt when I met Cassidy. I went to San Marcos with the other Walkabout students for a day of fun at the river rapids and recreation park. We had a blast, going down on our water tubes, enjoying the beauty and each others company. The day filled me with wonder as i kept getting to meet and talk to random people that came to the park that day as well.
There was one man, however, that stood out to me the most. He was sitting with a boom box under a tree, there was another man with him. His hair came down to his shoulders, dirty blonde, with two dreads on either side. He was barefoot and wearing some dirty athletic shorts and didnt have a shirt on. He had a guitar next to a battered guitar case, and a colorful scarf hung around his bare chest and neck.
        We were getting ready to wrap up our time there when it started to downpour. Everyone seemed to be running frantically, but all I could manage to do was stand there with my arms wide open laughing out of joy from the rain. As I was standing there I couldn't help but start dancing, as I squealed with delight and pure childlike whimsy, my head turned to see that man standing there, laughing with me! He held open his arms and was filled with joy, dancing with me as the rain washed the dirt off our faces; I think it was washing away more than just the dirt. He motioned me over and as i came close I could smell the stench of beer and sweat, but i didnt care. I came closer and he ran towards me, laughing, he gave me a hug, smiling, and said "you just gave me so much joy! Its been such a blessing watching all of you today." He introduced himself and said his name was Cassidy and then he introduced me to his friend called gypsy. He asked me if i wanted to sit down, and i said "sure".
        Within the next twenty minuets I was able to talk with Cassidy and Gypsy, i found out that they were both homeless and had been living out of a car. Gyspy had been homeless for a long time and when he met Cassidy, Cassidy asked him if he wanted to come along for the ride. They shared with me stories of how they had run out of gas and yet someone provided them money, they were laughing the whole time as they were talking about it. Filled with this child like trust that even though they had nothing, they knew they were gonna make it.  Somewhere along our conversation, our topic
switched to how amazing it is that God uses people to speak through others. And branching off of that, how beautiful and faithful of a God we serve. As we were discussing this, all of us soaking in the fellowship with one another, Gypsy had been making something out of some sort of plant. He paused for a second and then handed me his creation. He said "Its made out of palm leaves". It was a beautiful shape of a cross with a rose on top. He then smiled and said, "Pretty cool we serve a God who died on a cross for us huh?" "Without a doubt," i said. 
        Later that day as we regrouped getting ready to leave, Cassidy came running up, with beer in hand and grinning from ear to ear "Can I play a couple of songs for yall before ya go?" he said. We all agreed, and the next half hour my ears were filled with the beautiful sounds of heartbreak, soul searching, and love. Cassidy sang with this sound of surrender, his voice filled the pavilion we were sitting in, each song he belted carried so much weight and emotion. At one point I almost started crying. I just met Cassidy, I didn't know how hard being homeless was for him. But after hearing his songs, I felt like I had know him for a long time.
        I learned something valuable that day. Cassidy lived with this type of surrender. He had joy regardless of his circumstances and didn't make up excuse for where he was in life. He was just there, present, and loving life even through hardships. I don't know if he knew Christ, but I know he believed that there was a God and his eyes lit up when I talked about Jesus. He accepted things the way they were and carried no judgment. What I learned from him that day was not only how to surrender, but how to love regardless of your circumstances. I learned more from him in that short time than I have ever learned from a church, which is pretty sad when you think about it, but its also a reality check.
        As Christians, it is so easy for us to get caught up in religion and become blinded to the straightforward instructions Jesus called us to. His biggest commandment was to "love one another." So why is that so hard to do? Maybe its because we romanticize love too much and make it more of an emotion rather than an action. Or maybe its because we get caught up in how we think we should love people in are own way (which almost always doesn't cut it). Think about all the times
you have seen someone without the adequate clothing or maybe thought "man they need help, I should pray for them." Even though prayer is powerful, how much more powerful would it be going up to the ignored and beaten, the dirty, and worn and giving them your shoes, giving them your food, or maybe something as simple as giving them your time. Cassidy smelt like beer and body odor, he probably hadn't brushed his teeth in a good month. His clothes were dirty and torn and his hair was matted. And yet, he was the most loving and beautiful man I have ever met in my life. I felt more loved by Cassidy than by any pastor, priest, or rabbi. I felt more loved by Cassidy than most of my peers that call them self's "good Christians" He taught me what it means to be genuine, in a world that makes you fake.  He taught me to love outside of myself, and to live life in a state of surrender.