Eggs and Cheese

Three Word Wednesday

Hauntingly, adjective: poignant and evocative; difficult to ignore or forget.

Impulse, noun: a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act; the tendency to act impulsively; a driving or motivating force; an impetus; a pulse of electrical energy; a brief current.

Linger, verb: stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave; (linger over) spend a long time over (something); be slow to disappear or die.

Eggs and Cheese

Matthew 18:20

19"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

The other day right after work I was at the grocery store, I made my way over to the refrigerated section to get eggs.  There was a man hugging a crying woman trying to comfort her.  He was speaking loud and saying “I am so sorry.” I tried to grab my eggs and not draw attention to myself, but the man saw me and said, “Lady, do you have some words to tell my friend here?  She just lost her daughter and she is so sad and we need to lift her up.”

The lady was emotional and still crying.  I know the grief of losing someone you love, so I said to her, “May God give you peace and replace your pain with love.” She grabbed me like I was saving her from drowning. I awkwardly held her and he man cheered us on, “That’s what I’m talking about!”  We were approached by more shoppers and the man announced what was going on, “My beautiful friend here has lost her daughter and we are trying to comfort her.” He repeated himself as someone new approached, " “My friend has lost her daughter, she died, and we are trying to comfort her.” 

Everyone tried to give their condolences and a crowd of about seven now gathered. 

The man asked, “Will you pray with us? Gather together and lets hold hands, anyone want to lead the prayer?”

One heavy set woman said, “I never pass up a chance to praise Jesus! I’ll lead the prayer.” 

The grief stricken woman stopped hugging me but still had hold of my hand and we both impulsively took hold of another stranger’s hand.  We were all blocking the aisle, and I was thinking please let this be a short prayer…

“Oh Lord Jesus!!!”  The woman began with the gusto of a Baptist preacher about to preach about fire and brimstone hailing down upon us sinners.  “Take hold of…” 

I thought she paused the prayer to find out the crying woman’s name, but instead she shouted out, “Our sister!!!  Let her feel your presence, Oh heavenly father!”

Then almost inaudible, in a haunting whisper she spoke, “give her peace, heal her broken heart.”

There was another long pause, “We are all so broken, we lay this burden at your feet!!!  Fill our vessels!  Fill us with the waterfall of your comfort and peace. Cleanse us with the wine of your spirit, may our dirty souls be not vinegar, but wine!”

Wine???

“Take from us, Oh Lord!!, these daggers in our hearts!!! Change us with the fruit of your spirit that we will be refreshed and glorify you!” Her voice had the cadence of highs and lows that elevated the emotion in the aisle.  It was hard not to get caught up in it and feel the spirit surge through us. I know that God is everywhere, and there was no doubt that the presence of God was right there in the grocery store as she prayed.  

I felt a jerk, the praying woman raised up both of her arms as if to shove our prayer to heaven while still holding hands with the people on each side of her. Then she bellowed, “Take it from us, Lord!!  Take it!!”  I’m sure her prayer could be heard into the parking lot.  There was no way Jesus didn’t hear our prayer.  

The man chimed in, “Yes, Jesus!  Amen!!!”  

The rest of the crowd took that as our cue and we each said, “amen” even though the prayer may have not been over.  Everyone seemed to disburse, except me who was still attached to the grieving mother. 

“Thank you, Thank you!” The man said shaking hands and hugging each shopper as if he were a preacher releasing us from services. 

“I need to get some eggs,” I said and released her hand.  She wiped her eyes and nodded. She lingered and walked with me a little as I continued to shop, I felt compelled to ask the woman how long it had been since her daughter passed, feeling the rawness of the emotion as is might have been this week or in the past few days.  I know that grief is strongest when it is fresh. 

She had not talked at all during the display of affection or the prayer.  She stopped in front of the tall display of green beans and looked around us as if she were about to tell me a secret she didn’t want anyone to know.  Then she looked into my eyes and said, “I have no idea who that man was, and my daughter died over a year and a half ago!” 

I’m sure I had the look of someone who had just been surprised, and I started laughing.  The woman seemed agitated and I said, “I’m sorry for your loss, but we just had church! With eggs and cheese!” 

Praise the Lord!  Oh my soul!  

Happy South Ya'll!  

- Daily Panic