My mentor Max “The Ragpicker”
I came to faith in December 1989 at the invitation of the Navy Base’s Chaplain Stephens in Keflavik Iceland, and was baptized in the Blue Lagoon shortly before my reassignment to Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo New Mexico a few weeks later. My faith prayer at conversion was “Lord, if you’re real, I want to know you”. When I arrived at Holloman in January 1990, I still had no clue what the Bible had to do with my conversion but was hungry for reading books on faith. At a local faith bookstore, I stumbled upon a book “The Greatest Miracle in The World” by Og Mandino. The book is a short read about a spiritual friendship that develops between Og Mandino, a high-stressed, successful author and businessman, and Simon “The Ragpicker”, an Abraham Lincoln looking sort of fellow who feeds the pigeons on any given day and bestows ancient wisdom and friendship to those who have given up on themselves if they will listen. Og and Simon begin to meet in his apartment across the street, occasionally at first, but eventually on a daily basis. They would share a glass of sherry and talk about deep spiritual matters and wisdom gleaned from scripture and centuries of God-Gifted writers. I won’t give away the ending (you should read it for yourself) but I remember sitting on the edge of my bed in tears after finishing the story saying “God, I would love to have a Simon in my life”. I went about my business of getting settled into my new dorm room that day and next evening I get a knock on my door… “Hi, I’m Max Weighmink, I’m here on behalf of the base Chaplains… are you interested in spiritual things?” As a matter of fact I was, and invited him in to share what had taken place in my life over past month. I showed him small booklet the Chaplain had given me at my departure from Iceland, which turned out to be one of the Navigator’s bible studies for new believers (first sign for Max that maybe God was in this ;’).
At the end of our meeting, Max invited me to his weekly singles Bible study and left me his phone number; however, I had no intention of ever attending a Bible study nor following up with him. About a week later I get a call from Max, sympathetic to my adversity to a group Bible study, he asked if I would be willing to meet with him one-on one… I agreed and we began to meet in my room, and eventually McD’s on base, and his house in town. Max and Dawn invested in me for 3 ½ years as we worked through all of the Nav’s ‘Design for Discipleship’ series and we ministered in the dorms together, all the while demonstrating for me what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. At one point He and Dawn invited me to live with them for six months prior to their departure for St Petersburg; a scary prospect for an independent 25 year old but one that shaped the rest of my life as a disciple of Jesus. During that time, Dawn packed my “File Cabinet” with much wisdom and prophetic counsel that I am still unpacking 35 years later. Living with the Weighminks showed me how a healthy family lives openly before God and others, and I am forever grateful for the experience. Shortly after their departure, I moved into a house in town with my roommate Jim H where we had a ministry home for the singles on base and lived out many of the principles we learned from Max and Dawn. Many character traits stand out when I think of Max (and Dawn) as a disciple maker, but here are a few key ones God used in my life.
Sense of Humor: I will always remember the booming laugh and the corny jokes (some that were actually funny! ;’)
Humility: Max was always a learner and although he was my mentor, he often received or acted on my input as a peer
In Tune with God’s Work: Max would often ask questions that led me to the God’s heart on the matter rather than Max’s heart on the matter
Chose battles that mattered: I had a prominent display of large buddha and black knight statues in my dorm room during our weekly one-on-ones for the first 6 months of meeting and he never said a word. One day I sensed the Spirit prompting me to throw them away which I did; when I shared that with Max he only said he was praying for me on that one.
Genuine Unconditional Love: I always felt like I was the most important person in their lives when I was around any of the Weighminks and they meant it. I was an important part of their lives as a friend as much as I was a disciple
I am once again in tears as I reflect on my lifelong friendship with the Weighminks and the passing of my mentor Max “The Ragpicker”. I just finished re-reading Og Mandino’s book and it brought about a fresh challenge to continue pursuit of being a Ragpicker myself. Although I am sad to not see or talk with Max anymore on this Earth’s journey, I know there is rejoicing in Heaven over The Lords Faithful Servant… I fully imagine Jesus laughing particularly hard over Joke #19, told on as Max could as he peers over his reading glasses to watch His reaction… I miss you brother and look forward to adding to your repertoire of funny jokes at the feast…
Much Love and Appreciation for you Brother
Mike C