It's 1.30 am and I can't sleep so decided to check emails instead. I went to bed before 10 tonight because it was a busy day but now woke up with a million things running through my head. My day started at the Health Center where Tim and I now have gym membership. There are always friends there so I can start with a short cup of coffee, then work out, shower, and get on with the day. It's been a good fitness routine this winter.
As I drove home and turned the corner, I saw an older gentleman crawling on his hands and knees on the sidewalk, an upset dog in tow on a leash, who was barking and trying to get help for his owner. I immediately pulled over and heard the man's cry for help. He had slipped on the ice, hurting his hip and couldn't get up. Today's temperature was in the high 30's so much of our snow melted into puddles, covering the ice beneath. The man was more shaken than anything so after checking for broken bones, I helped him up and very gingerly walked him home. His dog Teddy Bear was traumatized and wouldn't budge so I also had to calm an extremely hairy, filthy animal who turned out to be gentle, but terribly dirty. Long story short, I deposited a very grateful 88-year old man back home, but I was the one truly blessed by him. I'll stop in tomorrow again to check on my new friend Jack.
By 1:30 I drove to the County Jail where I've been shadowing my chaplain friend, learning the ropes of jail ministry. It's a newer facility with many corridors and doors so finding my way around is always an adventure. Today we had 9 women in our 12-step program, some proud and haughty, some so broken they can barely speak. This new adventure is stretching my little world and once again opening my eyes to care more for hurting people.
Home at 4 pm, hustling to be ready for friends who were coming over in one hour for our Valentine's Day lobster dinner. Opened a bottle of wine by 5, sent Tim back to the grocery store to replace 1 of the 4 live lobsters who wasn't kicking, and started cooking. Oh the running around we do! Dinner comprised of appetizers of fresh veggies and smoked fish (from recent Duluth trip), peppery arugula salad, wild rice, and the tasty lobster. Dinner was relaxing and a huge success, finishing with homemade blackberry sherbet, chocolates, and coffee.
My day was full of good friends, new friends, hurting friends…and then there is me, saved only by grace. It got me to thinking of my circle of acquaintances and people I am in community with. I leave you with a great truth that some friends shared with me the day they moved to Florida, when we had to part company:
psalm 84:5-7 The Message
and how blessed all those in whom you live,
whose lives become roads you travel;
they wind through lonesome valleys,
come upon brooks,
discover cool springs, and
pools brimming with rain!
God traveled,
these roads curve up the mountain,
and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!
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