Wednesday evening, leaving the church at 7:15, the day was gone. By the time I got home, it was dark. Autumn is my favorite time of year.
I’ve been searching for a way to help my community. It certainly isn’t through politics, which is a run away train headed for disaster. My service organization a great place for like minded people to gather and visit, but to think we could change anything at this point is foolish. But, Baptist on Main is another story. Churches are meant to do important things to help, no matter how small.
I love arriving early to Wednesday service. While the choir practiced their gorgeous selections of Sunday, I caught up on a little reading. I chose the Songs of Solomon, that being the place from which I chose the name Winterpast for my home. Such beautiful poetry, I wish I could come up with a visual of Solomon. Later that evening, Pastor C talked about Solomon’s life without knowing what I’d been reading earlier in the evening.
Deep in thought, I was interrupted by one of my favorite parishioners, Song Bird. She and her husband are dear people who bring light and smiles wherever they go. She sings in the choir, while her husband plays the drums in the band. When I met them, she’d been suffering with severe back pain for two years. One day this summer, she got up and it was healed. She took off her bulky brace and has had no more pain. Just like that. Such a blessing.
She had been wanting to get in touch with me about a request. There are many elders in the church that are shut-ins or just at home recuperating from surgeries or illness. Would I be interested in forming a committee to find services for church elders in need? Just like that, it clicked. That’s a worthy cause. My worthy cause. What more worthy cause could their be? Yes. I would love to help.
Another wonderful woman came to join our conversation who happens to work at the Senior Center. She is also one of my angel ladies, the three of us forming a Coalition of Love and Light. Hang on, our dear Seniors, the cavalry is forming. We’re on the way to help. If you aren’t lucky enough to live in a small town, I can assure you, you are missing out. Small town folks are aware of others. Broad smiled waving occurs when you pass one another on the street. People take walks and stop to chat. Neighbors know each other’s names. Garage doors that are up invite visitors. Garage doors that are down too long invite a knock at the door to make sure everything is okay. Privacy is respected but friendships are encouraged.
On Fourth of July, our town’s boutique packed up in the back of a box truck and moved to Out of Town Park. The community had gathered at the park that day to enjoy food, friends, and fun, while anticipating fireworks at sunset. With a set of steps, women could shop during the day. The shop owner sold almost everything she brought. The local booster’s club from a small town on America’s Loneliest Highway brought the best pulled pork sandwiches I have ever eaten. A variety of crock pots held homemade pork. A dad cranked out curly fries from a small peeler, deep frying them one potato at a time. The list goes on. Small town life at its best.
In the middle of the little church, as people arrived for the service, three women stood with heads together thinking of all the wonderful things we could do for our Senior Citizens. Sometimes, it only takes a phone call to make someone’s life better. Meals on Wheels, a number for Social Services, or just time to talk on the phone. I already know I want to start a writing group at our church. Everyone has amazing stories. I love to read as much as I like to write. Teaching people to write is the best fun of all. Yes, there are many helpful things to do in our little town.
Pastor C asked us to begin with testimonials of good things in our life. Song Bird had the most adorable story to share. Unwanted calls irritate her. Day in and day out, the phone rings, like it does for us all. “Is the head of the household in?” Who of us hasn’t been in the middle of something important when this happens. It was making her irritated, which in turn was not good for her back. In the shower, one morning, God spoke to her.
With divine inspiration, she’d listen to the callers, and then, THEY would listen to her. She had something to ask them and she planned to do just that.
“Carl, Do you know Jesus as your personal savior?” “Jennifer, have you accepted Christ?” “Bill, do you KNOW Jesus?” She had a plan. At least one time a day, she would witness for Christ. Done.
Never stop looking for ways to make your community better. It could take something as simple as offering neighbors some excess peaches, as one member did. Put some garden produce on the front drive with the word FREE. Sit outside in the evening and saying Hi to everyone that passes by.
Think about saying YES the next time the community needs help. New friends make an old like sparkle a bit. I’ve certainly found that to be true in this dusty little town on a wide spot in the road in the high desert of Northwestern Nevada.
I’ll be back on Monday. Thank you dear readers!!