I saw the bag lady with her shopping cart loaded down with all of life’s challenges Packed on top was the homelessness and helplessness of her life. Her tangled dirty hair was blowing in the wind and her tears strung like a necklace of sorrow on her face. She journeyed on. Alone.
I wanted to run out and bring her into my home. Feed her, bathe her and let her find the peace of recovery and discovery which fill my home and my very being.
The moment passed too quickly. I was not dressed for the wind. I did not have shoes on. Dear Master, I was not available to help her.
She journeyed on not knowing how she touched Soul.
I have a roof, floor, walls, electricity, running water, a place to lay my head. I have so much. I shared it with her in that moment. She taught me so much in sharing her world with me.
Often, I am not grateful for the challenges of my life today.
Having a roof over my head means that someone trusts me to pay the rent, keep my space clean, get along with others, share my home quietly with my guests and not scream too loudly when my friends shower me with gifts for my home. Gifts of their company either in person, on the phone or on-line.
What would that dear gratitude bag lady have given for just a handful of the love that has been so freely given to me by my family and friends?
Certainly having a floor to clean has its moments. There are flower petals from the bouquets I receive. Tinsel from Christmas and flour from baking. Not to mention that vacuuming from a walker doesn’t get the corners all the time. I certainly won’t tell anyone about all the paper clips, paper scraps, elastic bands that scattered over the floor during tax season and spring cleaning.
Now, about the walls that I complain are too thin. Certainly, I can hear everything from everywhere in the building. But at the same time, watching the gratitude bag lady struggle against the wind, I received some “smartening up and gratitude shots”. When I wash the walls in a few days ( when I can open the windows and welcome the wind) I pray I will be grateful for the lesson the gratitude bag lady gave me today.
Yesterday, I came into my home with a cart. It was a walker carrying my groceries, bottled water, laundry, dry-cleaning, and fresh fruit. I did not have gratitude as I struggled for energy to put things away. I had fatigue, illness and exhaustion. I also had someone to help me. I had a place to put my feet in a leather blue recliner. Then a shower to refresh me before I went out to visit with friends.
Because of today’s bag lady visit I want to be more mindful of the Sunlight of the Spirit that keeps me safe in my home. I am protected from the challenges my dear gratitude bag lady faces on her journey.
The expression “There but for the Grace of God, go I.” brings tears of gratitude to Soul.
Thanks Master, for the gratitude bag lady who passed my window on cold windy day. Shelter her with your love while helping me to be mindful of my wonderful life today.
