I stopped at a gas station to give my car a little pick me up and I had the weirdest experience I've had in a looooong time...
An older man (think white hair) called out to me, "Do you read your Bible everyday?" Being polite, I answered, "not everyday, but often" and he told me that I should start reading everyday b/c Jesus is coming. I thought, was that random or could he tell I'm a Christian? Did he see my cross necklace and felt prompted to speak? A little weird, but I didn't think much of it, just kept walking.
When he was done getting gas, he pulled his car up to the exit way and stopped in front of me. I kept my back to him, thinking he was waiting to pull out into traffic, but soon saw him walking over to me...he wasn't waiting, he'd BLOCKED MY CAR IN AT THE PUMP. He came over, shook me hand and proceeded to interrogate me about my spiritual life. I hesistantly answered his questions, not wanting to be rude since he was so old, but not going into detail either, I just wanted him to back up. He asked me if I was saved, where I went to church, etc. He wouldn't stop shaking my hand, so I gently pulled it back. He kept talking to me about how important it was for me to have a relationship with God and reached out, took my hand back, and immediately started to pray for me, telling me to repeat what he was saying. I tried to explain that I'd already prayed the prayer of salvation, this wasn't all necessary, but he stopped talking to me and started talking to God, still clutching my hand. I looked around to see if there was anybody around I could yell to, but thought, "it's just an old man trying to pray with me." At first, I was suppressing laughter, but then started to get nervous as he got more excited. I hesitated to repeat his words, getting more uncomfortable by the second, but I guess he took this as a sign that I needed more help to pray b/c he asked me to repeat even more phrases asking God to come into my life. This went on for about a minute and he still wouldn't let go, so I helped him get the message. After I took my hand back (a bit more forcefully) he said "God bless you, sister" and hugged me and then kissed me on the cheek, all in one motion! It happened so fast I didn't have time to step back. At that point, enough was enough, I pulled away from him, slid into my car as I told him good-bye and rolled up the window. Before he let me out, he gently admonished me about what was coming from my radio (nelly or somebody similar) and told me to cut off the noise and stay in the Word.
Once he moved his car, I couldn't get away quick enough.
Now, I know he's a fellow Christian, but that was bizarre. I was so desparately uncomfortable, but his age had me confused on how to handle it. I understand he said he just wanted to share the gospel (he said he was a priest, but I have my doubts) and if he was legit, I'm thankful to meet a fellow brother in Christ, but...
More than anything, I can't help but think this is a prime example of why people think Christians are CRAZY.
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