“Settle Your Thoughts” Eric had it all: a recent college grad, good looking, admired by men, noticed by the girls. A bright, promising future. But one day the pressures of life became too much to bear and he lost it. One gray February day he walked out the back door of his house and simply kept walking. No explanation, no phone calls to relatives, nothing. He simply walked away, vanished.

Hours became years; as he wandered the family wondered. What could have happened? Sixteen years later found Eric living on a vacant lot. A hole had become his hovel. Trash had become his means of existence.

The EMS people responded to a call and found Eric curled in a ball on the side of the road. At the age of 44, cancer was taking its toll. In Texas, the courts appoint a temporary guardian to cases like this and through an Internet search, his sister was finally located. Debbie came to see for herself, hardly recognizing the withered, stooped figure of her brother. But the eyes…the eyes do not change. It was him.

The years had taken Eric’s mind. He didn’t recognize his own sister. He rejected her, refused her help, and even cursed her. He didn’t want her food; he wanted his old life back. He couldn’t recognize the gift she was offering. But months later an angel pin she wore fascinated him. He allowed her to pin it on his shirt. The doorway to acceptance of help had opened…but just a crack. She took an apartment, home schooled her kids. Debbie gave up her own life so that her brother might “come back”.

God pursues us as Debbie did for Eric. Many act the same way as Eric, we deny Him. When He offers a safe place to stay, we reject Him. Some have even cursed Him. But He is like Debbie, offering a place of sanctuary and a place in His family. We (as a people) are like Eric. We do not understand.

A God who pursues us:

Moses could tell you about it. God followed him into the wilderness and showed the burning bush. God followed Jonah onto the high seas. The disciples of Jesus in that storm tossed boat looked up and saw Jesus coming to them. God had followed them into the storm. God follows us, even in our life’s storms.

Like Eric, many have left home. Like Eric, many chose their hovel over His house. They have chosen their trash over His grace. But still He follows. Such is the forgiveness of a loving God. It may come from a word spoken or a touch at just the right moment, but you will know it.

I’ll bet you feel it at every chapel service or contact with an RFC chaplain. Through them, God is calling you home.

Mike Schacter

Author's note: By the way, Eric finally did accept his sister’s love and grace, in doing so he found his way home.