In the Bread Isle

Earlier this year, one day I spent all morning in court. I went to support a woman who had her children taken away from her primarily because of mental illness.

While it was a worthy cause it nonetheless frustrated me because, I had so many other things on my list of stuff to do. In fact this woman had been taking up a lot of my time lately. Aggravated, I dropped her off at home after lunch and decided to stop in for some groceries before I went home.

So, I get my car, head into the store, pick up some apples and such which naturally leads me to the bread isle. Now, my spouse is kinda particular about bread. He like whole wheat but, not "bird seed" bread. He likes some brands better than others and he hates it if it's squished at all. So there I am examining the bounty of loaves trying to decide which is a safe bet ... and... I pick up a loaf of Wonder whole wheat.

"Excuse me," he said "you really shouldn't buy that kind, it's full of all kinds of chemicals, it's not good for you." My reply sounded sort of guilty, as if I was caught with a copy of Penthouse in my hands "Oh, it's not for me." What happened next was nothing short of a new experience for me in grocery shopping.

"Do you know about the real bread?" he asked.

All I wanted was to buy a few things and be on my way and now I had run into some religious freak lurking in the bread section for potential converts. Nice strategy. However, I thought I'd surprize him with an unexpected answer "Why yes, I do know about Jesus. I'm a pastor." (silently saying to myself - "that otta shut him up." It usually does with most people.)

He looked at me hard with his old eyes for a few seconds and then he said "God is pleased with what you're doing right now. Your work is pleasing to him. All heaven rejoices because of what you've done."

I was speechless. I had just come from a morning that felt unproductive and frustrating. I had just been debating whether I was really "helping" the mentally ill woman or not. I was just thinking how I could weasel my way out of spending so much time with her. He had no idea of all the stuff that was occupying my thoughts but, his words were like locusts and honey to me; they tasted sweet and yet odd and I wasn't sure I wanted to accept them. But I did. His words encouraged me to trust my heart and to remember those who cannot help themselves.

Then he asked if he could pray for me. "Of course." That was my cue, I could thank him and he'd be off to pray for me somewhere, sometime. BUT NO - right there in the middle of the bread section he starts praying OUT LOUD. At that point I had nothing to lose and humbly said to myself, thy will be done. And so he did, he prayed. I don't remember exactly what he said but, I do know it felt ok.

"My name's John." he said as he handed me his card. "I"m just passin' through." And off he went into the wilderness.

You never know just what can happen in the bread isle.

NMW