A One Can Milk Route (06/03/2026)

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, the lesson 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 spiritual journeys of faith, hope, and love let us commit to living our faith regardless of where we are. Let us seek the help 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.