Jonathots Daily Blog
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She passed by me without saying a word, heading for the door. It had all the appearance of an exit. Suddenly she paused, turned on her heel and walked slowly back toward me.
She said, “I’m a dying breed. I was raised two counties over. My mama and daddy grew cotton, so we spent all of our time in the field, crawling on the ground and picking cotton, dragging huge sacks behind us to collect the fruits of our labor. It was so hot that I had to cool my feet in the shade of the plants, and sometimes the work day was eight to ten hours. We didn’t have much, but we always seemed to have enough.”
And then she just stopped talking.
I looked deep into her eyes. It was like bathing in a well of experience. I suppose some people would consider her rural, rustic or maybe even rugged. It isn’t really so. That’s just another example of how we make quick judgments because we’re too lazy to spend time with one another. I realized she was embarrassed with her own silence and would soon slip away, so I decided to ask her a question.
“What did you learn?”
She didn’t miss a beat. “I learned to take care of myself and to not ask too much of others.”
It was one of those simple, beautiful, profound answers, laced with so much experience that additional wording would have been cumbersome.
“I just wanted you to know my story. How I’m part of a dying breed. People today don’t understand and kids would have no idea. I enjoyed your show.”
She quietly turned, walked away and disappeared out the door.
I thought about her words. The truth is, I don’t take care of myself enough. Somewhere between silliness and believing in the abiding grace of God, I float along, thinking that each day is promised to me instead of a gift. Much to learn.
And even though I try hard to be a servant instead of a burden, there are still strides to be made in that arena, too.
I sat and thought for a moment.
- Some people read the Good Book to find their inspiration, believing it to be the sole source of life and instruction.
- Others stubbornly wait for God to give them a burning bush to illuminate their path.
- I suppose there are even people who are praying for an angelic visit to grant them the insight to propel their heart’s desire.
Not me.
Since we’re all part of a breed that’s dying, the smartest thing we can do is listen, observe and believe in other members of the herd that come our way, and accept the beauty: that it’s a gift from God.
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Jonathots Daily Blog 