The incident below occurred years ago when Cleveland’s rep was at an all-time low. More recently, my wife and I spent a wonderful weekend there, strolling the art deco boulevards, eating great meals, and exploring the inimitable Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
I’d missed my connecting flight and gotten stuck in Cleveland.
Oh, the humanity!
Anyway, the result was an unplanned 4 hour layover. I could have bought a paperback, or sat watching the slo-mo ballet of jets on the tarmac. But for some reason, when I prayed about it, I sensed God telling me to take the shuttle into the city. “Are You sure, God?” I asked. “I mean, you know this is Cleveland, right?”
Crickets.
The moment I arrived, I spotted a depressed-looking guy in an “Information” booth. I walked over to him and said, “I’ve got four hours to kill. What’s there to do?”
“Nothing,” he replied. “You know this is Cleveland, right?” (I’m not making this up.)
I told you, God! I said in my head.
But then God replied, “Tell him about Me.”
So I told him about God, the omnipotent, omniscient—and decidedly pushy—Creator of the universe who I do, in fact, love with all my heart and, however grumpily, get all my best ideas from—including things like telling Information Guys about Him.
To my surprise, Information Guy seemed impressed, and even a little jealous. But then he said, “I’m not ready, man. First I have to get my life together. Then I’ll give it to God.”
He was eating an apple, so I pointed at it and said, “You don’t become a tree by producing apples. You produce apples because you’re a tree. First you have to be the tree. Let God make you a tree!”
He looked at me like I was crazy (I get that a lot). But then something seemed to click. Still, he smiled and said nothing more.
So I went off and bought a paperback.
When it was time to return to the airport, I headed for the shuttle, passing Information Guy on the way. Before I could say anything, he flashed me a grin and shouted, “Be the tree, man! Be the tree!”
Then he put his palms together, indicating he’d been praying, and pointed upward.
Have I mentioned that that was my favorite layover ever?
I love it when God springs divine appointments on me, even if I do grumble about them.
Especially when they’re in Cleveland.
“You did not choose Me, I chose you, and equipped you to bear good fruit!” ~John 15:16
Mitch Teemley 
One of the most edifying posts I’ve seen in a long time. Thank you for sharing that experience with us. I grew up in Ohio (Dayton) and lived nearly all of my married life there (Columbus). Those of us who grew up in Ohio often heard Cleveland referred to in a condescending manner as ‘the mistake by the Lake’. Personally, I have no frame of reference. I’ve never gotten all the way into Cleveland proper that I remember. The closest I think that I came was attending a church service in Lorain. It was a beautiful drive along the shoreline.
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I have lived in the Cleveland area for 26 years – by choice. This is an awesome town! One can drive one mike and be in a different world!
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One mile
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I love this! I thank you (and I’m sure that guy thanks you, too) for responding to God’s nudge.
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Great story, amen! God bless!
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You too, Ryan.
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That’s amazing!
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Oh, what a wonderful story!
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I love what happened and how God orchestrated this opportunity, and you took advantage of it. Bless you brother!
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Aw, thanks, Kevin. But, as I said, I definitely needed a push from God.
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I love this! How inspiring! That conversation you had with God reminds me of some of the ones I have. Gulp, OK God! 😊😂❣️ I’ll remember, “Be the tree!”🌲 for many reasons.
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I love it when adventures happen because of a God Nudge. This is a great story & a wonderful bit of encouragement to accept the nudge!
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Great story! And a great reminder 😊
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Be the tree! I love this!
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That was beautiful!
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You are in Tune. I may have had the experiences that you have just described, yet I am not sure that there was any product of effort. I do believe that it is great when it happens. Thank you, Mitch.
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Great story!
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You have an open and kind heart, Mitch. Which is a very good thing for those around you.
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Aw, thank you, Ann. Back at you!
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Another great story and another great illustration. I may borrow this for a sermon someday, in the meantime I shared it on my Facebook page.
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So glad you liked the illustration, Mike.
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What an inspiring story for a trepid evangelist wanna be like me. Thank you. Stay safe and healthy Mitch
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You too, Kate!
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Wow! Now that’s a great story.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, Mitch.
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If there was a ‘love’ button, I would have clicked that! I love hearing about the God moments of our lives.
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Aw, thanks< Grace. Me too.
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