A Wayward Button (1/05/2023)

Yesterday, I had to go to the local market to place an order for an upcoming event at the parish. As I walked to the front door, I adjusted my coat that was bunched up under my cross-body purse strap, and a button flew off my coat, rolled across the concrete and came to a stop against the front door glass. I stepped to fetch it, but the automatic door, sensing me on the sidewalk, opened, barring my reach for the wayward button. I tried multiple times from multiple locations to reach for the button, but every time, the automatic door opened, sliding between me and that darn button.

Finally, after more than five minutes and dozens of attempts, many witnessed by other shoppers who must have wondered what I was doing, I realized that the sidewalk under the garbage can was safe to step on and would not trigger the automatic door. I moved the can, stepped into its previous spot, bent down, retrieved a pen from my pocket, and used it to slide the button toward me until I could reach it. I put that wayward button in my pocket and went on my way with what little dignity I still had.

As I sat to sew my wayward button back on my jacket yesterday, I thought of my embarrassing episode. I had no one to blame but myself; I knew the button was loose. I should have taken the time and effort to repair it earlier. And then, as so often happens, I saw the similarity between my physical experience and my spiritual journey – the LORD can use the darnedest things to remind me of His love. Anyway, as I sewed, I thought of the times I knew my close relationship with the LORD was loosening, I knew I needed to take the time to address it, but I didn’t. And then I strayed. I am blessed that the LORD is so good at finding me and recovering me. Maybe I should be better about reading the signs and taking care of my spiritual needs earlier.

Our relationship with our LORD is paramount. It is the reason we exist. It demands our attention. We must work at our relationship with the LORD just as we work at our relationships with others. It requires our time, our attention, our love.

As so often happens, the LORD uses my life to call me back to life in Him. Yesterday I learned that I must spend time with my loving LORD and tend to this most precious and essential relationship. And I got the bonus of learning that one should never leave home with a loose button if the journey ahead might involve automatic doors.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.