MY NELSON MANDELA STORY

Some years ago I was in New York, meeting some friends for dinner at a hotel near the United Nations. I entered the hotel and walked into the elevator. Inside were 4 very dark, nicely dressed young men. They all wore bow ties, conservative suits and were very polite. In broken English they explained the elevator was broken, take another please.

I stepped out, looked around the lobby and realized everyone was a very black, conservatively dressed young man, wearing a bow tie…except me. Something was up, so I went to an empty chair in the corner and waited. This did not sit well with these individuals and they began whispering to one another, while watching me. A few at a time approached me and asked what I wanted. I said I was just waiting, smiled and continued to sit.

The lobby began to fill with more of these men, all dressed the same. They would stop, confer with one another, point to me and soon I was drawing a lot of attention.

In a few minutes, a big rush of these nicely dressed men came in and in the middle of the group was Nelson Mandela. He was smiling and taking direction from a couple in his group, who stopped, whispered to him and pointed at me.

With a look that can only be described as the pure love and compassion of God, Nelson Mandela smiled at me and said, “Oh, he looks OK to me.” He winked and was hustled off into the elevator.

Just as quickly, the lobby was cleared and I was alone. It felt like I had been in the presence of someone who transcended our mortal world. Someone who had no fear and was tied into the the spirit and goodness of our heavenly Father.

I have met a few people like this in my life. They are tuned into a different frequency and have risen above the fray of day to day irritations. You look into their eyes and you see their pure, loving soul. At the same time, they appear to be looking into your soul, to see if there is kindred spirit. It is a warm, emotional experience…I look forward to it again.

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