Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Jonny Baby

I don't know what I'm searching for...
but I know I will find it.
And I will love it.
I will know it's what I was trying to find,
even though I didn't know what I was looking for.
I promise.


Speaking of searching, I am writing that book I told you I was going to write.
And I plan to share bits and pieces of it as I go.


It goes something like this...
People I Met While Searching for Myself


The purpose of my mission is clear.
The possible outcome is not.
I am already in love with it.
That's really all that matters.
I will share more about the details later, but for now...


Meet Jonny Baby.




He's bad. Real bad. And he wanted me to know it.
A former associate member of the Bandito Motorcycle Gang,
Jonny has slept in a jail cell dozens of nights,
sold drugs,
done drugs,
treated women poorly and carried anger in his heart in an effort to leave no room for anyone else.


How do I know all this? ...because I asked.


I stopped at his antique store to look for a particular photo prop and upon leaving I noticed the same devotional I've been reading sitting on his desk.
Are you reading that?
"Yes."
Me too. I've read several devotionals in the past but I'm really, really liking this one.
"I like it too. I've only been a believer for 4 years but I like the way this one speaks to me."


That's all it took for me to want to know more. I love a good "How I found God story".
Can I interview you?
Yes.
Can I take your picture?
Yes. But I've done some really bad things.
Okay. It's okay. Just don't tell me anything you don't want everyone to know...Because I'm writing a book and everyone is going to want to read it.


I ran to grab my camera and realized my notepad was not in my car.
I went back in and had to ask to borrow some paper and a pen...
Glad I did...
He hands me a notebook with a skull and crossbone on it...
"Told you I was bad."


His name is Jon Willey but his friends call him Jonny Baby.
Never married. Not that he didn't want to, just hadn't.
He believes in love. In fact his best example of a loving relationship is close to home...his own parents have been married for 62 years.
They still kiss each other goodnight and hold hands everyday. Sweet...
He loves his friends and family...and now he loves God.
In the middle of my questions he asked me if I was happy.
It took me by surprise a little.
I am the one asking questions here Jonny.
I answered him and then found myself struggling to hold back tears. What is going on here?
I walk in an antique store with one purpose and now I am finding my heart touched by a self proclaimed "bad boy".
Then he shows concern for me placing myself in possibly dangerous situations by interviewing complete strangers...
Did you feel safe because you saw the devotional on my desk?
No, it was more than that. I saw something in your eyes. I knew I was okay.
Me saying that to him blessed him and then he got teary eyed.
He went on to say how God removed anger from his heart.
He went to church with some friends, not with the intentions of finding God, but to go eat afterwards...
He doesn't have a burning bush experience...no mountain moving, earth shattering moment...just a realization that God is real and He took his anger away.
"It was gone. No more anger. I can't explain it. It just happened."


Simple enough. Make room in your heart for more God and you leave little room for anything else...Okay. Got it.


Lately I wonder if God hears me. I pray so hard for people that I love to give their hearts and lives to Him. It breaks my heart when they don't. I realized after 15 minutes of asking a complete stranger a few simple questions that God will get to people when He wants to. He has not forgotten my prayers. He is listening and loves them even more than I do. He will take care of people's hearts...all I have to do is love them. I can't save anyone. I can't even save myself.


If you want to meet Jonny Baby, he and his new motorcycle gang, The Wigglers, are serving free meals every Sunday evening from 6:30-7:30 at the Outreach Cafe in Brownfield, Texas.


He's sounds real bad, doesn't he?  Be afraid. And then give him a hug from me.