I pulled into Hardees just west of Indianapolis this morning for coffee, orange juice and a biscuit. An 18-inch artificial Christmas tree sat on the counter beside the cash register.
Behind me in line stood two men, both wearing Big O Tires jackets. Outside the windows I noticed the Big O Tires store just to the north.
One of the men was about 45-years-old. He had a thick head of black hair flecked with gray. Beside him stood a man about 55 or 60. He face was gaunt and ashen. His hair was thin His beard was completely gray.
"Well, for crying out loud," said a 55-year-old woman working behind the counter. "Where in the world have you been all your life? I haven’t seen you for weeks."
"Oh, I been around," the man said. "Been pretty busy."
The men got their breakfast and sat down near me. The women, dressed in black slacks and a black Polo shirt with an orange Hardees insignia came over to their table, and asked the older man, "How are you doing, anyway?"
"Doing great," the man responded in a whispery voice. "Feeling terrific."
"That’s great," the woman responded.
"Do you want to tell her how you’re really feeling?" the younger of the two men said.
"Well, I guess. May as well." Without looking up, the gaunt-looking man said in a monotone voice, "I’m dying. At least that’s what the doctors are telling me."
"Well you look great," the woman replied, without changing the enthusiasm in her voice.
Believe me, he did not look great. He looked awful. He looked, well, like a man whose days are numbered. The woman, who clearly had no idea how to respond, finally moved away from the men. The men ate their breakfast and continued talking.
"Just do what you feel like doing," the younger of the two said.
"Yea, I’ll just do what I can and then I’ll rest. What else can I do."
I pulled out the Hardees lot thinking of the verse in Hebrews 9 that says it is appointed for all men to die once and then the judgment.
"Lord, may this man, and all who are ill during this Advent season, come to know you better than they ever have before. Give them the assurance that when they die you certainly will meet them on the other side, where they will be with you forever. (I Thessalonians 4:17)
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