Miracle At McDonalds
As I begin this post, I'll give you another picture of Skylar. What does this have to do with "Miracle At McDonald's"? Nothing. But I'm going to show her off every chance I get.
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MIRACLE AT MCDONALDS
Monday I traveled to visit my mom. Recently, at 86 years of age, she decided to elope. I do not know her new husband, Jim, very well. He also is 86 and I believe he celebrated his honeymoon with a week in the hospital. It’s frustrating. I tried to teach her better, and then she goes off and does such a crazy thing. I had not been able to reach them on the phone for over a week, and so I had to make the trip unannounced. Not too surprisingly they were not at home. With bingo and other forms of gambling, and flea markets, my mom seems to never be at home these days. She and Jim recently returned from a week at the beach at Panama City. I just think they are moving too fast; but then what do I know- I’m just her son?
I went to the local fast-food eatery to have lunch and to nurse my hurt feelings. Since mom was out who-knows-where, “galavanting around”, I sat by myself and observed the dining crowd. An old man waddled up to the counter, cane in one hand and open hamburger in the other, and wanted to know if he could exchange for a different sandwich. It looked like he had only taken one bite, so why not? The little counter girl kindly denied his request. Now he was angry, and demanded to speak with the manager. I sat back and smugly smiled, thinking “What an idiot!” Across from me was a table of laborers, paint all over their clothes and hands, gobbling down quarter-pounders and engaging in conversation. One had proudly sold some pigs at the market. The other needed to fix the insulation in his house trailer. Still a third sat quietly and just ate, although he periodically let out a distinct burp. I observed and thought, “I am so glad that I moved away from here. Except for the grace of God…”
Then I looked over to the side. There sat down a wiry man, obviously here for his lunch break. He had on tattered clothes and looked weathered. I watched as he removed the wrapper from his sandwich, took off his hat, and took a couple of minutes to say grace before his meager meal. I stopped eating and considered the last several minutes. I’ve been so irritated at my mom that I had not even considered that maybe she was happy. And her happiness ought to be important to me. And I was so busy passing an arrogant judgment on my fellow patrons that I skipped over the obvious fact they are much like me; just doing their best. And, I had been so full of myself that I had completely dismissed a word of thanksgiving for the meal.
I asked God’s forgiveness and gave thanks for the meal, and both after the facts. Then, mom and Jim walked in. What are the chances of that, in a town of 40,000 and hundreds of fast food restaurants? We shared our hamburgers together. And, I learned that ole Jim sure loves my mother, and so I sure love him.
03.03.06 (11:55 am) [
edit]
posted by:
ruined (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (7:05 am)
Well, first... what an adorable little bundle of joy! I can't speak for others, but I sure look forward to more pics of her!
On to the McDonald's part... isn't it just mind blowing how something simple can be like a blow to the gut, from God? I think that wirey man on his lunch break was there for just that reason. There's nothing more humbling than that! Great post.
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (7:07 am)
She is absolutely precious, please continue to show her to us!
Boy, passing judgement sure comes easy to us humans, doesn't it? Luckily God's grace is more powerful than that!
posted by:
LeananSidhe (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (8:09 am)
Wow, that lesson was surely in God's plan for you that day!
Skylar is lovely :)
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (10:56 am)
Growth. I see growth... watch out!
By the way, that is NOT your grandaughter. That child is far to pretty to have very many of your genes in her. I want DNA tests done. Oh wait... Maybe your daughter was adopted!
Lucky Grandpa. I want one.
posted by:
ScubaDiva (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (11:22 am)
Your mom is 86... She's lonely and I'm sure Jim is a comforting companion. I mean, think about it - at 20 what were you looking for in a partner? And today? And imagine what you'll be looking for in another 40 years? I'm sure you're not going to be looking for a chick with a nice rack and... (Then again, maybe you will - heehee)
I think it's great that your mom moved on.
Just make sure he's not after her for her money.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (12:59 pm)
Reply to: DeathByGlitter
She does! She's lost that newborn-wrinkly-reddish look, and now is developing personality in her appearance. Several have told me she looks like me, and I know they are just trying to flatter, and I think they are excellent judges of appearance.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (1:02 pm)
Reply to: ruined
If we are at all sensitive to the divine, I believe God does bring people into our lives to teach us. I'm glad that, at this moment, I was aware of the lesson.
Now the fact that you would like to see more pictures puts you pretty close to the top of my t-blog-most-liked list.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (1:04 pm)
Reply to: FinalyFree
I do have such a natural tendency to pass judgment. By the way, about that avatar of yours,..... Just kidding. You are so right; God just loves. He is so awesome, and I seek to be more like Him. I need help, and so I am thankful for God's personal work and presense in my life.
Thanks for being willing to indulge me with my pictures. More will come!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (1:06 pm)
Reply to: LeananSidhe
So you think it was an intended meeting? Those are good, for they tell me God actively cares about who I am.
Thanks for loving Skylar.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (1:09 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
This growth in life and spirit is good, albeit tough. Even a year ago, heck even 6 months ago, life was more simple and I considered that I know far more. Now the bubble has been burst. And it's almost all about learning to love people. Not understand them, just love them. And I thank od for Skylar, for she is a big breakthrough in that matter.
But, my friend, don't expect too much. I just do not think God will make me a Democrat!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (1:12 pm)
Reply to: ScubaDiva
Now, how do you know my mom is not that "...chick with a...". She looks pretty good for 86! Just ask Jim. My brother, often wiser than me, said he was supportive of this relationship as long as mom was happy. He's right.
As far as this guy being after her money, I'm not worried. Now what she is after is the big question. I'll just stay out of it.
Companionship is very important. I salute Jim and mom, may they have much happiness.
Thabnks for your thoughtful insight.
posted by:
KeysTreasures (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (6:20 pm)
86 and still doing the Spring Break thing in Panama City. I hope to be so fortunate.
posted by:
princeass3dancer (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (7:17 pm)
she is beautiful. You should go look at my picture of my neice. I will put more on later
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (7:56 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
No worries... God didn't make you a Republican either. You are who you are based on the people and thoughts you've been exposed to, and how, when and where you have been in your life when those exposures took place, as is true for us all. It just so happens that the broader your exposures are in life, the broader your mind becomes, and the less judgemental we become of people. Hell, one of these days, you'll stop putting limits on how you see yourself, and then, eventually, you won't worry about anything as trivial as a political party label.
posted by:
ScarlettGKPi (
reply)
post date:
03.03.06 (8:28 pm)
First of all, Skylar Hope is beautiful and you are so blessed to have her in your life! May God bless and keep her all the days of her life!
Secondly, the wonderful thing about your experience is this: you learned an important lesson of judgement so you were blessed even in such a small situation. The more we take off those blinding glasses of judgement, the more our eyes are open to the wonders of God's world. Great post...take care!!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.04.06 (6:01 am)
Reply to: KeysTreasures
Maybe at 86 I'll take a jaunt down to Key West. We can meet up for lunch at Camilles on Simonton Street?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.04.06 (6:06 am)
Reply to: princeass3dancer
I took a look. She was wearing the pink undies? Oh wait, that was you. Yes, your neice is beautiful, and a tiny little thing. Thanks for coming this way.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.04.06 (6:12 am)
Reply to: surrogate
Maybe. I think I am fairly open minded, in that I am willing to consider the point of view of the other guy. And I weigh that perspective with my own. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose. Conservatism as a political philosophy has some faults, especially with compassion, but it just makes so much more sense socially and educationally. And the current product of liberalism in Christian religious circles appears to me to be bankrupt biblically. Again something can be gained in social perspective, but when the bible is thrown out, then I look far from what is being presented.
I think you are on to something. The great on loves self, the less one feels the need to compromise in order to please others.
I always appreciate your perspective, and thanks for dropping by.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.04.06 (6:14 am)
Reply to: ScarlettGKPi
Take of the glasses...I like that analogy. Great word picture; I'll probably use it. Thanks.
posted by:
Darksaber (
reply)
post date:
03.04.06 (12:35 pm)
I wonder how many miracles I'm missing by using the drive-through every time.
Also, nice baby.
-Revan
posted by:
justinb (
reply)
post date:
03.04.06 (2:17 pm)
Skylar is a great name, congratulations again. I took your advice on my blog now it is not a requirement to post either your name or URL, or both, you can just comment if u want now. Much easier. Thanks for the heads up. Great post.
posted by:
bacardibreezer (
reply)
post date:
03.05.06 (8:06 pm)
Glad you finally saw it that way :) I was going to say, if she is happy, damn, let her go for it! Especially at her age! Rock on! :D
posted by:
tibus (
reply)
post date:
03.08.06 (5:58 pm)
She's very adorable. And Skylar is a very beautiful name to give a girl. I'm very happy for you. =)
