Up Close and Personal

Up Close and PersonalThe pleasant weekend found me up close and personal in two very different ways.  The first was getting up close and personal with a concrete sidewalk; the second with some people in need.

It was Friday after a busy week with four days of subbing and a day of Bible Study.  Tired and ready to just hit the couch, I decided instead to stop at the store to pick up a few things for the weekend so a later trip would be unnecessary.  Of course, we all know that one should not walk into a grocery store hungry or tired.  Somehow that sale item will fix one or the other of those maladies.  With several bags and boxes of soda (pop), I trudged out to the car and immediately decided my hair must be cut – NOW.  Fortunately, Great Clips was on the way home. 

Unfortunately, Great Clips had customers lines up in most of the chairs, and more on the online waiting list.  My book was in my bag and a Good Housekeeping was on the coffee table, so I said I would wait the 45 minutes for the cut.  I was ready; it had to happen.  Only two stylists were left by this time on a Friday, and apparently everyone who came in was just as determined as I to get a haircut.  With the entire Good Housekeeping skimmed and a couple of chapters read, I at last was called.  As the guy was cutting, I commented on how they must be a little stressed with just two of them and so many people deciding this was hair day.  He replied, “Yeah, kind of.  It’s been like this all day.  I haven’t eaten or had anything to drink all day and my head is pounding.  I’m trying hard to give good haircuts and do it fast.”

I asked, “If you could have something to drink, what would you have?” After some demurring, he finally indicated a Mountain Dew would be his choice, and I told him that when he was finished with the haircut I’d run over to the Publix store and grab him a Dew.  He  dutifully declined, but I insisted and he admitted it would be nice.  His reply to a question about a candy bar was no, the Dew would be great.  The haircut complete, I paid him and said I’d be right back.  As the time passed, he must have started to think that was a lie.  He didn't,  and still doesn't, know the adventure that happened on the way to the Mountain Dew.

I fairly skipped out of the store to run my errand of mercy.  I was excited to be able to do a small thing for someone, thinking I was doing it in Jesus name.   I even decided I would get him a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup since that is God’s answer to missing protein and a quick chocolate pick up.  As these thoughts were formulating, suddenly – SPLAT.  I was face down on the sidewalk; pain shooting though my lips and nose; glasses, scratched and bent, and I wasn't sure if my teeth were all there.  I had missed seeing the handicapped cut out and managed to land on the up slope of it.  One hand was tucked into the purse handle and the other in my pocket holding the cash for the purchase, and neither hand responded to the fall, so it was totally face first. 

I carefully moved everything, collected my glasses and wounded pride and eased myself up.  The lip and nose were pretty bloody so I searched my purse for a tissue, but the only thing paper in it was a store receipt.  Receipts are not absorbent.  I covered it with my hand and shuffled on to Publix where I started to clean myself off with the cart wipes, and then headed for the bathroom to assess the damage.  It wasn't pretty, but I was determined, so I held some paper towel over my nose, picked up the Dew and the Reese’s and headed back to Great Clips.  I really didn't want the young man to notice my face so I just breezed in the door, said, hey, here’s your stuff and ran out. 

I forgot to say that it was done in Jesus name, but it still was.

The second up close and personal experience was very different.  I almost missed it because I was really self conscious about my huge upper lip and almost no visible bottom lip and well as the huge scab under my nose. 

A couple of weeks ago, one of the ladies in my small group had talked about A Day of Hope which is a Ministry Fair on the grounds of the local courthouse designed to draw in people who have need of help in any aspect of life.  Several area churches are involved in the organizing, and a number of organizations, agencies, and ministries come to share resources with those who attend.  There are free manicures and haircuts, bags of groceries, breads of all kinds, treats, games for kids, adult and youth entertainment, and a coat give away. Volunteers from the churches help in some of these areas and as prayer volunteers. 

From the first moment Robin mentioned it, there was a little nudge in my heart, but I needed to know more.  The news was not comforting to my somewhat introverted self.   I looked at my calendar for conflicts.  None.  Maybe Beth and Bill wanted to do something. Nope they had a full just-the-two-of them-day-planned.  The nudge got stronger and so I said I would come.  Then came the fall, and I thought maybe that would be a good excuse,  but that didn't work out either.  So, I showed up for the orientation.  Two groups would do the prayer ministry, the group that would go out and approach people, ask if they had a need, and if they would like prayer.  Gulp.  The other group would stay in the tent and pray for those who came in for specific prayer. OK, I can do that.

“So, who wants to go out and be prayer ambassadors?  I only recognized one person, a young guy from the small group, but he had missed a few times and really didn’t know him well.  He made eye-contact and pointed and I nodded.  Turns out, he was feeling just like me,  nervous about the task, but seeking to get outside of his own comfort zone..  We had such a fruitful time, praying with some people, sharing with some people and talking and getting acquainted ourselves.  We got back in the tent later and both had the chance to pray with people there. 

It was such a blessed day, and apparently my poor banged up face did not deter anyone. 

Once again, there is reason to be grateful – a fall that could have been so much worse, a new friend, helping and connecting with people in need, encouraging them to accept the resources because we loved them and being reminded that the heart is more important than the outward appearance.  Growing and stretching is good, too. It’s all part of the Joy in the Journey.