Always Reminded

So, Sunday morning I awoke convinced that I would put an end to this blog since I found it so hard to keep up with (I get tired of apologizing for my slothful posting habits). Then, I ran into someone who inspired me to make a post & provided a reminder about a basic life lesson. I thought, "I can't surely take down the blog now. I have too much left to say." But then, the day went on and nary a post did I make. Then, on Tuesday I thought, "Yep, Tracey get over it. Quit the blog already." But as fate would have it, I ran into a young man who made me reconsider. Then fate intervened yet again that afternoon and I ran into someone else who made me consider a new post. I'd like to introduce you to the 3 people I encountered this week that made me even more appreciative and why.

1. Random Old Lady: Walking down 147th Street, I noticed an older lady (old enough to be my Momo) and she had stopped dead in her tracks. I had no idea if she was hurt, sad, confused, happy to see me or what. The closer I got to her, she began smiling. When I got near her she said, "I was just looking at you and remembering when I used to walk like that. Those were the days." I smiled back confused and thanked her. I was in great discomfort, walking slower than normal and being annoyed by it all. So I wasn't really seeing initially what she was seeing. But her comments made me thankful for the fact that I could walk at all without the assistance of a walking aide, she had a cane. No matter how much discomfort I was in, I still had my ability to walk, something that isn't really promised to be the case forever. It was a reminder to appreciate the small things and take nothing for granted. Also, youth is fading. Seize the day while you can.
   
2. Zealot Christian: As I was coming down the stairs at the 145th St. train station on Tuesday, there was a young man randomly telling each person who made eye contact with, "Jesus love you." He would say it in English or Spanish given your perceived native tongue. When he told me, I knew it to be true and sincere so I said, "thank you." But this is New York & the city is filled with nuts so, I was careful not to send any signal that I wanted further conversation. Then, he asked "What's wrong with your leg?" I asked him how he knew there was something wrong (I was en route to an appointment to find out what was ailing me, but he didn't know that. Or did he?). He just said he could tell. The train came and we boarded together and I did something I don't normally do or encourage, I continued to talk to this total stranger on the A line. It felt good. We talked all the way down to 42nd St. He was so passionate about the love of God, but he was also so very balanced in his view of what it means to be a Christian. He said this at the end of the conversation, "God knows your heart. And if you have a heart for pleasing Him, He will always reward you. Each day get up and do your very best for God. Even if you fail, God still loves you. So focus only on doing the best for today. When tomorrow comes, worry about doing your best then. But today, focus on today." That was worth the entire conversation. I know God loves me. I know He extends continual grace to me. I know that in my mere human state of being, I will continually fall short in some way. But I will never fall short of receiving His love. This young man (can't recall his name - something that starts with an "M"), reminded to focus on today. Tomorrow carries with it it's own struggles and triumphs. Today is what matters. It can all be gone tomorrow and therefore, I only have power to affect tomorrow, today. I also admired his boldness to proclaim God's love in a respectful and thoughtful way to strangers. He wasn't one of the loud talking Bible pushing folks on the train telling people they were going to hell if they didn't heed the calling. Nope, he was soft and plain spoken enticing people to Christ by telling them of His true and endearing love for us.
   
3. The Grumpy Unemployed Woman: Because this is New York and I no longer have a car, there are times when I need a train and a bus to get where I'm going. I got off of the train with Christian Zealot (who was a cutie BTW) and headed for Madison Ave where I needed a bus to take me a few stops. At the bus stop, a lady pushing a walker walked over to me and asked, "Do you get unemployment?" I knew I wasn't feeling well, but I'd tried my best to look decent and semi-cute to head to the doc's office. But did she think I was in need of a check (but then again, who isn't?). I answered her with a negative on that one. "Well, have you ever tried getting it?" Again, negativo on that one. "Well, I have to pee. And I'd rather pee than wait 27 hours on the phone to get a check. They make it so hard to get some damn money. Maybe I should try welfare." Of course at this point, I'm speechless. But can I just say nothing? I didn't need to because she still had more. "This country ain't worth s*%t! There's nothing good about this country. I can't stay on a phone that long. I have to pee." Luckily, the bus was pulling up as she finished. She made me thankful that I still collect a check and don't have to call unemployment because I like being able to go to the bathroom when I want. I don't want a phone call dictating my bathroom habits. But then, I know other folks who have taken a hit in this downturn and been laid off. To my knowledge, they too are able to go to the bathroom when they please. But I was thankful that I did have a job; that if I needed to unleashing, I don't have to do it with perfect strangers, I have friends willing to listen; again, I didn't need a walking aide; and that with all of it's problem, I'm pretty cool with living in America. I was also proud that I didn't just cut her off. I listened and she seemed to like that. Sometimes people just want to be heard. We so often actually listen to what others are saying to see that saying something to you maybe the only time someone offers them a chance to truly vent.

So I thank these 3 random people I met. I'll remember these encounters for many years. They may seem simple and unimportant to most, but I'm thankful that God is always telling me to live with gratitude and shows me ways in which I maybe operating in the Land of Ungratefulness. I appreciate the reminder!