Simmo was a homeless gangster who lived on the streets.
But by the grace of God he found Jesus in that same, seemingly hopeless place.
From Being A Homeless Gangster
Simmo had a difficult childhood, which eventually led to his living on the streets. Despite attending a Catholic school, Simmo had never heard the gospel.
Simmo found gratitude in the little things, like the cardboard box he slept on, when he was at his lowest point.
“Like I had no house, no nothing. No family, no one to love me. Nothing. So I’d be exhausted, I’d be walking around finding somewhere peaceful to sleep. And then, I’d go to a rubbish bin because when you slept on concrete… cold concrete is unforgiving. It doesn’t just make you cold, it sucks the strength and the warmth from you,” he recalled.
How A Homeless Gangster Stayed Grateful
“And I’d sit down and say, “Thank You, God.” And I’d laugh to myself, and maybe He was laughing with me because I’d say, “Thank You for this luxury you’ve given me.” I’ve been kicked back, I’ve got city views, this and that, fresh breeze…. It was sort of a personal joke between me and God. And I’d learn to be thankful for the fact that I have a cardboard box. And a blanket,” he added.
READ: LITTLE GIRL POWERFULLY SHARED JESUS IN THE CLASSROOM
Simmo found Jesus after repeated interactions with people sharing Christ with him. He finally was drawn to Jesus after hearing the parable of the Prodigal Son.
“Come Home”
“The Father’s waiting for you to come home,” said the one who shared Jesus with Simmo.
And then Simmo said, “Okay. I’ve never heard this before: to come to the Father, you’ve got to go through Jesus. So I said, “Alright. If this is the way, then I’m going to do it. And I’m going to do it even if I don’t understand it.
“He did hear me. That’s the thing with God, man. He’s so friggin awesome. All the horror I went through for 20 years, it now makes me the man I am today. Who’s in love with Jesus, and who’s got a message of hope. And a testimony that says with the blood of Jesus you can overcome anything in your life, no matter how bad it is,” he concluded.
Header image: Simmo [deliverancedownunder]. Instagram, 20 August 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/CwKmG-phQL0/
