After barely escaping Florida with my health, sanity, freedom, and
motorcycle, I needed work. My only work history at age 20 was unloading trucks
at a Sears store, so my choices were limited. But answering an ad for London
Records, I was hired to be traffic manager, more title than pay, I was in charge
of shipping out the records and arranging for the freight forwarders to do it.
Really just a big warehouse, but with a cast of characters from A to Z. And my
high school Spanish was about to be put to the test, as almost all the employees
were either from Puerto Rico, or refugees from Cuba. Who hated each other, a
chain link fence from floor to ceiling separated them, they went on break at
different times, and I had to deal with all of them. Individually they were
very nice people, who all loved America for the chances it offered, but for
different reasons. The PR’s hated the Cubans because they were refugees, and
felt superior because they were true Americans, like the West Side Story song
stated “nobody know, Puerto Rico in America.” And the Cubans were resentful of
their attitude, some had been successful and rich before Castro and his
Communist agenda forced them out or into slavery. One such man called Sargento
had been a government official, a polished gentlemen now working for minimum
wage. Another El Tigre looked like the criminal he must have been, thin and
wiry, no one messed with him, and he solved any problem you had if you went to
him. And then there was my secretary....Alba Mary, Columbian, who spoke no
English, and answered everything “OK Mike.” Very beautiful, lots of men tried
to hang around by her desk, I spent more time sending them back to work. The
two men I respected most were Julio and Mario, both Puerto Ricans who somehow
managed to get along with everyone, and then there was Tony. Tony was kept in a
fenced in area, think of large cage, he yelled a lot, didn’t like anyone, but
didn’t hate anyone either. He commuted to Jersey from NYC every morning, and
spent his entire paycheck on getting drunk and with hookers, Mondays were not
his best day. His assistant Carlos was being groomed like him, and kept in the
same cage. With Amos Romeo, a large Italian man in charge of the operation, who
drove a 1966 GTO, and always wanted to race me, just or fun. It seemed all the
things I had learned in Social Studies went right out the door, at age 21 I knew
the truth, I was living it everyday. But I liked the job, really had a love for
the people, and the only problem I ever had was from another white guy, my PR
friends turned him in to protect me.
Reader’s Digest used to have an article every month called “My Most
Unforgettable Character,” I had a year’s supply. And on any given day, you
would meet another. One day a little Cuban girl named Marisal had a seizure,
the PR’s sure she was demonic had her cornered in the bathroom and were kicking
her and screaming at her. Such was the tension. Another time a representative
offered me $5000 to leave a trailer with a latest release outside after hours.
I was stupid but not that stupid, but I know who did and why he never came back
to work, the streets of Newark flooded with this album before it was to be
released. And to all of this, I can only say, “OK Mike...”
Now there is a big difference learning about people from a book, and
actually getting to know them personally. Much of what I had been taught was
true, but from those who had never encountered it. I was fortunate enough to be
there, to meet the people and to learn from them. I had seen how Communism had
destroyed lives and families, and also how one prejudiced group was ready to
prejudice another to seek power. I saw basic street survival, as those who
accepted the challenge were willing to work for the rewards, while others
thought it was owed to them. Seems the more things change the more they stay
the same, and it was this way in Jesus’ day also. We expect this in the world,
from business and politics, but it has no place within the church. Over the
years I have seen church officers lie and cheat for a dollar, lie from the
pulpit, one evangelist even threatening to pray the wrath of God on us if we
didn’t agree with him. I have watched well meaning believers doing things they
thought were in God’s name,only to be found pawns of religion. The devil is out
to seek and destroy who he can, just having his victims miss out on Jesus is
victory enough. With so many so called prophetic teachings of Jesus’ return,
many do drastic things, all falling into the devil’s plan. Yet with one key
component missing, trusting God and being led by spirit led pastors. Jesus is
patient in his return that none should perish, we all should be grateful for.
Some find solace in Bible knowledge, some bragging on their knowledge. But no
learning can compare with Satan’s, he was there,he is mentioned in took, he
knows the times and seasons Jesus mentions, and can tell his time is drawing to
a close. So stepping up his evil in a last ditch effort to steal souls. You
don’t have to look around very much to see the signs of warning.
But Jesus promises at just the right time, and we need to be ready.
Doubters will doubt, haters will hate, and those of us who believe are called to
step up in God’s name. We have own the victory over death and sin in Jesus, but
the battles on earth still continue, as they do in heaven. Jesus will never
lose, never. But we can, by our own false beliefs and opinions. Talk to a
Christian who has over come by the blood of Jesus, he knows. Yet so many
trained religious personnel only know what they are taught, and fold at the
first sight of blood. We need to experience Jesus first hand, not via teaching
only, not via church attendance only, but by his spirit, personally. Then back
it up by the Bible, inspired by God who was there, and it is the truth.
Polls and opinions may dictate decisions today, the only time God allowed a
vote they hung his kid on a cross. They wanted more and not what God had
provided. Do we want the things of god or do we want God? Do we trust Jesus
enough to call him Lord and do the things he asks? Do we rather follow our own
arrogant schemes or follow Jesus? I have found the only constant in life is
Jesus Christ. Will you please join him? I can still hear him saying to me when
I asked him into my life, “OK Mike.” I lived the truth at 21, but also knew the
truth in Jesus Christ at 21. Who’s your most unforgettable character.....I’ll
never forget mine.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com