28 Days of Advent

Every year, we as a church celebrate the four weeks leading up to Christmas; we call it Advent. We light candles, we think nice thoughts, maybe say a prayer or two. But I've never felt as if I were living it, that is, really preparing my mind and my heart and my spirit for the coming of Christ. So, based on a friend's "365 Days of Kindness" Project, I am going to be live and act according to the 28 days of Advent. So, here it is. I hope you’ll feel free to join me if you are so inspired.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Day 10: PEACE at the dinner table




                                           
"What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family." - Mother Teresa

My act of peace today concerned napkins, and my perhaps obsessive need for napkins when I am eating. I cannot relax and enjoy a good meal if I have nowhere to wipe my hands, especially if I am consuming pizza or sandwiches.

I was at Jimmy John’s. An elderly couple with their 10-year-old grandson were in line ahead of me ordering sandwiches. I could only guess at the boy’s age. What I did know is that he was walking around the restaurant with a jacket pulled over his head, wandering, oblivious to the world. Those of you with sons (and perhaps you’ve seen this in your daughters) KNOW what I am talking about. The grandparents sat down at a table, their order was called, and the grandson did as he was told; picked up the sandwiches, and took them to the table.

Soon, Grandma started doing what I would have done: looking around the room for some napkins. The kid sure hadn’t asked for them. And if she asked him to go get some, he would have taken his sweet time, and brought back exactly one. 

So, as an act of kindness to this poor woman with the messy fingers, I grabbed a stack of napkins and took them to her table. I just smiled, and she smiled; she knew that I had experience in the “I just gotta have a napkin” department.  And plenty of experience with lovable, albeit sometimes knuckle-headed, boys.

A simple act of kindness while waiting for my #6 Sandwich; I think it was just the peace they needed at tonight’s dinner table.
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2 comments:

  1. Nancy AgnebergDecember 12, 2016 at 9:39 AM

    Your description of the boy was so true, so vivid, especially how he would have come back to the table with just one napkin. Did you know our son when he was that age?

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    Replies
    1. Martha WegnerDecember 12, 2016 at 2:31 PM

      I never knew what boys were like (at least most of them), until I had one of my own. I grew up with 4 sisters!

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