When we first met this guy named Jim, he looked kind of weird
He’d just come from work, held a Bible, was tattooed and had a beard

My heart began to melt that evening, as he began to share
The rats that crawled across his bed in the dark, were his only care
Sleeping on a cot each night, where he worked car repair

He bundled up his hands each night, to keep them from the frigid cold
Wrapped himself in several sleeping bags, stained with smells of oil and gas and mold

He had lost his Harley and his job working for some thugs
He ended up on the street, alone, penniless and hungry, not one friend with hugs

As the evening continued on and I listened to this dude
I was overwhelmed by his authentic sense of gratitude

Although he was actually homeless, he was kind and truly thrilled
A new relationship with Jesus was his only source to be fulfilled

I began to hear a voice, in my heart and not my head
“Provide him with a place to sleep, a roof over his head.”

I wish you could have seen his eyes, the look upon his face
Through the door to our house he came, filled with gratitude and grace

Late every Friday afternoon, just as it was getting dark
You’d hear the rumble of his truck, out front is where he’d park

He would prance into the kitchen, bags overflowing underneath each arm
It was payday for our friend, like harvest day on the farm

Bread, bologna, mustard and salami with cheddar cheese and chips to boot
Singing as he made sandwiches, like a child on Christmas morning, marveling at his loot

With a huge box of brown bag lunches, for the homeless he’d prepare
Personally delivering each one, in Seattle’s skid road square

He would visit his mom all weekend, his love for her so real
He’d always make it back it time, to join us for our Sunday evening family meal

Kind, tender and all loving, from this he’d never swerve
An unconditional love for everyone, passionately he would serve

I’ll never forget the day he came to me, his heart was truly throbbin
“Bill, I believe I’m in love with her.” A dear sweet girl named Robin.

It was really great to see them, carefree as two doves
The way they floated in the room, as two that Jesus loves

I’ll never forget the wedding, a little nervous and some strife
As they gazed into each other’s eyes, christened as man and wife

Today they have two incredible children, a big house on a Bellevue bluff
Filled with joys and toys, but that’s not the important stuff

Today is big Jim’s birthday, it’s not like all the rest
All the credit for his transformation, by God’s grace he will attest

It’s not that it’s his birthday that prompted me to write this note to you today
It was that voice again, inside of me; “Tell Jim you’re grateful I sent him your way.”

We have come to understand, now matter how weird, beat up or wrecked
God’s gifts come in all kinds of wrappers; the best one’s you don’t expect.

Today we’re under the illusion, that His children have to be “our kind”
The miracle of Jim, we share to change your mind.

Jim sent us a note just yesterday, grateful that in him we did invest
But Jim had it all backwards, Christ used Jim to reveal to us His best.

The next time you meet a person, strange looking, homeless, tattoos and a beard
Christ loves this person the same as you, no matter what you think looks weird

We desperately search for the blessings of God, throughout the human race
The next time you come up empty handed, look at the closest strangers face

Your head may begin to chatter, “get away from her or him!”
Before you act on this reaction, remember it could be your Just Jim.

It’s from the heart we write to you, our friend Jim is just his name
God used you to transform our lives. We’ll never be the same

When you look upon the cross, whether you’re happy, rundown or with sneezes
Do what Jim’s life has taught us to do, focus on Just Jesus.