Beginning Tomorrow Today - By Timothy Sherman

Afro style with dreadlocks woven through it. His eyes were bright, almost blazing, and his countenance was stern but very welcoming. He was dressed in a way that didn't fit the moment or his personal ity: blue suit, white shirt, red tie and fine black shoes. He noticed us approaching and looked directly at me, stand ing up from his stool as he did. He continued to speak as we passed him and the growing crowd. I noticed two young men jeering and mocking him as we passed but he ignored them as if they weren't there. I stopped the car at a pullout and explained to my family that I had to go talk with him. I was overwhelmed with the presence he carried and the look on his face when he saw us approaching. Every one in the car noticed it also and said, "Okay."I left the car and hur ried to see i f l could hear more ofwhat he was saying and learn why he had paid such special notice to us. As I arrived the two young men were getting very mean and rude with him. He was still ignoring them, when one of them jumped on him, striking him on the shoul der and on the top of the head with his fist. I reacted by grabbing the other one by the arm and slinging him around, throwing him away from his more violent companion. I then grabbed the one who was slugging "Elijah" and spinning him around. I slapped him on the cheek with my open palm. He was startled, and so was I. I pointed my finger at his face and chided him, "You will not touch God's anointed, and you will do his prophets no harm'' (Psalm 105:15). His eyes filled with tears. Mine did too. I grabbed him, and he grabbed me. I hugged him with overwhelming love for a long minute. He hugged me in return, and he wept. I stepped back feeling sorry that I had struck this young man. The crowd was increasing in numbers as people were appearing from all over the park. I turned quickly to say something to the messenger. He spoke first. "I've been waiting for you." I commented in return, "You're Elijah." And he said, "No, you're Elijah!" He looked me in the eyes intensely. "I've come here to give you an urgent message and a 113