A One Can Milk Route (04/01/2022)

There is something about me that defies normal. It has been a hallmark of my life. Normal avoids me. There is an old saying where I come from, “She could mess up a one can milk route.” Now if you know anything about milk routes, you know that’s pretty close to impossible, but it happens to me all the time. I go to the drug store to pick up my prescription and just as I walk up to the counter, the staff close the window in my face and post their “out for lunch” sign. I learned long ago to step back and not take it personally. I am not lucky, but I am so blessed.

There’s another saying where I come from that I’m sure you’re familiar with, as well: “It’s not what happens to you that counts, it’s how you handle what happens to you.” I’m still working on that part. When things don’t go well or as expected, I’ve been shown through the example of others, to step back rather than react. Take it in. Is there a lesson to be learned? In the drug store scenario, it was that the staff lunch break is posted, learn it and avoid it.

And then there is the question of "what does my faith tell me I should do?" because my life beyond the pews is to be lived by what I learned in the pew. From this perspective, I realized that if I were the drug store staff, I’d want to be treated with respect and understanding and patience. So, what did I do? I parked myself in a chair by the pharmacy window for 30 minutes and used the time to say a couple prayers for others I know are struggling and then I took out my purse notebook and made a list of blessings I’d enjoyed that day. Before I knew it, the staff returned in masse, opened the window, and served me refreshed and with a smile.

I may not be able to navigate a one can milk route with grace or success, but with the help of grace from the Holy Spirit, I have managed to get to today without too many visible scars. My sister would tell me, “Well done. Remember, it’s not all about you.”

As we continue our Lenten journeys of faith, hope, and love let us commit to living our faith regardless of where we are. Let us seek the help of the Holy Spirit in dealing with frustrations and acting our true identities, sisters and brothers in Christ, who recognize the other’s worth and honor it. Let us remember that the LORD’s passion, death, and resurrection were not only for our lives beyond but also to show us how to live our lives here. And though we may find ourselves unlucky at times, let us never cease to consider ourselves blessed beyond measure.

Until tomorrow, love well.

Please continue to pray for peace in the world and for the leaders of the free world that they will seek meaningful actions and measures to bring justice and to defeat the hatred operative in our world at this time. Pray especially for the leaders of our free world to come to the aid of the people of Ukraine who are fighting for their lives, their freedom, their homes, and their families. Lastly, please pray for the leaders and the people of Ukraine that they may withstand this horrible and hateful aggression and emerge stronger.

Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we come to You seeking your help in building world peace and in ending the violence and aggression of Russia against Ukraine. Show us the way to restore a world order that honors others’ freedom and that unites us as one humanity. Make us witnesses of justice and love so that we might be agents of your will and defuse the division and defeat the hatred. Grant that your will may be done here on earth as in heaven. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.