Saturday, August 9, 2014

Lady With A Cake



About a week ago I was driving across town, doggedly ticking off my internal to-do list and feeling a bit frazzled. I came upon a church and immediately had to slow down. It was evident from the activity on the street that an event was taking place. Cars were queuing up in search of parking spots. Suits and dresses were the chosen attire. I wondered if the event was a wedding until I saw an elderly lady pull herself out of her car and start the block hike to the church. She was clutching a 9x13 cake pan with the skill and determination of one who knows how to take care of business. I know of only one morning weekday event at churches that requires donated cakes and that is a funeral.

As I nudged my way through the slowing traffic I watched the lady continue her journey toward the door. I was struck by her simple act of kindness. A sweet moment of sharing that quietly filled a need. She did not appear to be someone who is able to write out seven figure checks to charity. I don't think she has statues of herself placed strategically on the grounds, commemorating her act of giving. I doubt her name is written on buildings or public venues. And yet, when a family is in mourning and needs a cake, she says, "Yes."  Regardless of how busy she might be or how much her arthritis might be flaring up or whether she is out of eggs, she steps up to the task at hand. She makes sure that a cake is ready to go and delivered to the church on time. An ordinary act with extraordinary impact.

I am on the back to school countdown and in just a few short days I will be in front of a classroom again. The easy part is getting caught up in all the minutia of being ready. All the school supplies, the lesson plans, the room posters, the meetings, the class lists, the frenzy. The difficult part is focusing on what is really important. I will be greeted by a new group of faces who will need a sound education. They will need a safe place to be. They will need guidance. They will need positive relationships. They will need someone to hear their voices.

Experience tells me that there will be days when I will become weary from waves of restless children and mountains of paperwork. I will feel beat down by test scores and apathy. I will worry about the troubled lives of children.

But, through it all, I really only want one thing.

I want to be like the lady with the cake.






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