I was waiting in line at Walgreen’s to check out with two items…a tall, slender man was in line in front of me…I could see a scar running vertically from the base of his skull to the base of his neck and suspected he might have had some type of disc surgery. As he finished his checkout, he turned to me and said, ‘Have a blessed day.’ I acknowledged his remark and watched him walk way with a noticeable limp. As I pulled out my frequent customer card, the clerk said, “You don’t need that.” I was confused and the clerk continued, “He paid for your items.” I quickly walked outside and caught up with the man. “What is your name?” I asked. “Reginald.” Immediately, tears began to well up in my eyes at this random act of kindness, and I offered him thanks and a blessing in return. Reginald had no idea how I needed to experience a random act of kindness at that moment. In that place. In this community. In our country. Rest assured, I’ll be on the lookout for an opportunity to ‘pay it forward’ in a checkout line soon.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (English Standard Version)
With Thanksgiving coming up next week and Advent following right behind, I will be preparing for the season of ‘waiting for the light,’ believing again that the light of Christ will overcome the dark night with His nativity.
As Advent approaches, I’ve felt the ‘pull’ to decrease my daily digital load and turn back to some analog touchstones…my daddy’s old Timex watch (“it keeps on ticking”) rather than my FitBit, a real deck of cards for playing Solitaire rather than a phone app, a well worn hardcover book rather than a never ending news feed online. I’ve been doing some ‘cleansing and purging’ of stuff in drawers and closets, and I think it’s time to do the same on my social media accounts. No hard feelings if you don’t see me show up on your feeds….just stepping back and refocusing.
In this season, I also find myself taking a deep dive into rich hymn lyrics and the poetry of Mary Oliver while I search for new words of my own. With that said, I’d like to share one of my favorite seasonal hymns, “This Is My Father’s World,” written in 1901 by Maltbie D. Babcock:
And a poem I like very much…
How I Go Into The Woods
Ordinarily I go to the woods alone,
With not a single friend,
For they are all smilers and talkers
And therefore unsuitable.
I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
Or hugging the old black oak tree.
I have my ways of praying,
As you no doubt have yours.
Besides, when I am alone
I can become invisible.
I can sit on the top of a dune
As motionless as an uprise of weeds,
Until the foxes run by unconcerned.
I can hear the almost unhearable sound of the roses singing.
If you have ever gone to the woods with me,
I must love you very much.
Mary Oliver
Be blessed, friends…Happy Thanksgiving from the Big Front Porch,
Tricia