Belonging (06/12/2025)

Yesterday was Farmer’s Market in our city’s downtown commons park. A neighbor and I went down to check it out. I went hoping to get some fresh produce and maybe fresh flowers. I left with a vivid reminder of our call to love one another and how that can change our lives and the lives of others.

One of the first booths we stopped at was full of clean, lush, and huge produce. The woman tending the booth was busy at one end. I called her by name. She raised her head and looked at us. Her expression changed immediately. She came to our end of the tables. We began chatting, asking how she was doing and about how she grew her produce. Suddenly she whipped out her phone and showed us photos of her gardens. We were amazed. My friend bought some asparagus and then we bid her goodbye.

We stopped at a baked goods booth. My friend saw someone she knew and went to chat. I chatted with the woman tending the booth. I bought two pot pies. She bagged those for me. Then I asked for two turnovers. She bagged those, then she looked at me, smiled, and put a third one in the bag. “This one is for your breakfast tomorrow. Think of me when you enjoy it.” I thanked her for her kindness.

I got thirsty. I stopped at a beverage booth and was reading the menu when I heard, “Is this what Catholics drink when they’re out on the town?” I turned to find my friend from the coffee shop, a local minister. He inquired about how I was since we hadn’t run into one another in a long time. He also introduced me to the booth owner who happened to be a member of his congregation.

As I took my drink and started to move on, I stopped to give a biker room on the sidewalk. She stopped, parked her bike and then I realized she it was one of our Monday Bible Study members. I hadn’t recognized her initially with her bike helmet. We chatted about when we’d start bible study again and got caught up on one another’s life a bit. Just as she was turning to go do some shopping of her own, a friend from church walked by. We stood and caught up a bit.

I bought my flowers and then my neighbor and I headed to the car. As I unloaded my mini-cart into the car, I thought about my experience at the city farmer’s market. A sense of belonging came over me. I felt like I was actually home. That is something for a girl who has had so many addresses.

Last evening, as I reflected on the day, I thought of the woman at the produce booth who I’ve come to know and who I call by her name. I thought of how her demeanor and presence changed when I did that. I recognized in her that feeling I’ve had of needing to be seen and of belonging. I asked the LORD to help me welcome others along the way, to bring His love with me everywhere and share it with others. And I thanked Him for that feeling of belonging that filled me that day.

As we continue our journeys of faith, hope and love, let us not forget that we are called to live that love here with those around us whether at a church, in a neighborhood, or a small city farmer’s market. Let us offer to others that which we know we ourselves want – a sense of belonging. May the Spirit guide us and gift us along the way.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.