I was standing in the check out line in a store when the man in front of me said, "You can go in front of me mom."
Without thinking I replied, "I'm a grandma."
"Don't let the reindeer run over you." he said laughing.
I laughed because I knew what he was talking about...there is a famous song titled "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."
I thanked him, stepped in front with my items in hand, and we continued to both laught and talk.
I asked his name.
"Snake" he replied.
Some people in the line seemed to disapprove but not because he allowed me to move ahead I don't think.
As in the south we tend to say, "We were having a ball."
You see, he is black and I am white, but when we were talking and laughing, we were the same...two human beings, yet strangers, being friendly to each other regardless.
I paid for my items, walked outside toward my car, then here follows one of the jolliest people I have ever met.
I told him "You have hair that looks like Whoopi's."
It actually looked like foot long snakes hanging from his scalp.
"Oh no grandma...this is natural...just look and feel."
So I did, not just one but several snakes of hair. We kept laughing and talking there on the parking lot.
Black and white people were watching us, but I didn't care. I was happy for a change.
I asked where he was from.
"Birmingham."
He was passing through my county, about 40 miles from there, yet I was in a town about 15 miles from where I live.
We had to part our ways.
He probably has no idea of how God used him that day.
You see, my only child had been ill with cancer and had died seven weeks before; I hadn't laughed in a long time. The best you can get from me most times is a smile anyway.
When I was about five years old a black racer snake chased me. I ran for dear life. This time I didn't run. I wasn't afraid at all of this black Snake.
What are the odds that our path will ever cross again?
Only God knows.
I just hope that Snake remembers that special day as fondly as I do.
Thank you God for good black snakes.
Martha Currington
copyright2009
p.s. I hope that this article offends no one, but lifts their spirits in Jesus name.
Martha Currington
copyright2009
Read more articles by Martha Currington or search for articles on the same topic or others.
My 45 yr. old son, an only child, died May 31, 2009.
My husband died about 18 months ago. Both had cancer. A 32 yr. old nephew died about 6 mo. after my husband...he fell from a scaphel. I have had cancer, will be 5 yrs. in Oct.
Go Wed. for a ck.-up.
These comments is to share where my grief has been coming from.
Martha
Martha, how my heart goes out to you! We have lost one son at the age of 18. This was in 1976. We are so thankful for the love and grace of God. It seems He is always there when we need him, never early, but Never late. May He richly bless you, and help you climb from the deep valley. How wonderful that He brought this person into your life.
Can you imagine all the unclaimed blessings that people miss when they allow the color or appearance of another to deter them. God is concerned with the heart, not the outward appearance. "Be kind to strangers, never know when we are entertaining Angels unaware." The Lord wanted so to console your grieving heart Martha. I don't know how long its been since you lost your child. And I am no authority on the consolation of grief. But allow me to share a recent article I wrote "The Mask of Grief". Ironically it too begins at the checkout stand in a grocery store. The Lord's Blessings.
http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=102210
