I can pinpoint the events of tonight straight back to one incident. My wife had to work today and the baby and I spent the day at my parent’s house. We all got home about the same time. Shortly after getting settled in, I let our loving, part of the family toy poodle out to “relieve” himself. His endeavor didn’t last long and I should have seen the potential for disaster but alas I did not. Right before the family bedtime I was alarmed, first by the smell, then by the sight of our poodle’s day long collection of poo on the floor. Having too much going on and not really knowing how best to handle the situation I decided to create a disposable glove with a wad of paper towels and then flush the feces down the river.
An hour or so later my loving wife bursts in the den in that angry/cute kind of way stating that she believes this to be outside her marital vows. She accuses me of clogging up the toilet and tells me she has been working the plunger for minutes with no success. Being the MAN that I am, I assure her that I have the situation under control and to have no fear. After making my own assessment of the biological disaster in our bathroom by a vain attempt to plunge it, I realized I needed heavier artillery. This would take a late night trip to wal-mart.
The selfless sacrifice I would make seemed to alleviate my wife’s aggravation into a more sympathetic tone as she sent off on my journey to the local super center.
Upon entering the gates of the mega store I immediately went to the home repair section praying that would have the tools I needed. On my second aisle of rubber neck shopping, a nice gentleman asked me if I needed any help. He was probably in his late twenties, well dresses, charismatic, black with corn-rows. I told him I had just started looking but I could definitely use his help, and I needed what I’ve always referred to as a “pipe snake.”
He knew what I was talking about and quickly led me to the aisle this tool was located in. We start looking and I find the part I needed. I thanked him and he said it was no problem. Then with a huge smile he reached his fist out toward me initiating the fist bump procedure. I laughed a little and then politely bumped fists with him. We then separated.
I hurried home and fixed to clogged toilet. Then sat back and reflected on the late evening (to which I’m still awake typing at this very moment.) I keep thinking about that polite gentleman at wal-mart. I think about the fist bump, and how that was a perfect opportunity to give a simple risk free “God bless you.” Yet, I let it pass.
It should be important to remember that often the only bible people read is us. Don’t let a good chance pass to share Jesus with someone, if nothing more than to let them know that they are loved.
Amen.
