Thank You, God, For People Like These

Sanitation Worker
At the dump, the gentleman (yes, that word is appropriate here) who isdirecting people where to deposit their trash, consistently calls me "My lady",except that he pronounces it with the accent and grace of an English butler: "Melaydee." I'm sure he treats all women the same way. And, here in the midst ofthe dump, I feel like a queen for a day.

Fish with Lemonade?
At a little hole-in-the-wall, non-chain variety, local fast food joint, the owner/cook/window attendant, before I have a chance to even speak, greets mewith, "Fish sandwich with lemonade?".

It's not a place where everybody knows your name, but it's nice when theyremember what you like to eat.

The Bank Teller
At the bank's drive-up window, the teller, without being asked, sends backmy request for cash the way I want it: only one twenty, lots of tens and fives,and maybe five ones. ATMs are nice and convenient, but none has been inventedyet to give out something in a handier size than a twenty dollar bill. Real,live people are still needed to do that I guess.

Sunday School Kids
Always beware of the Bible! Reading scripture texts out loud in a classroomof third through fifth graders can result in great embarrassment, especially ifthe teacher hasn't fully prepared by reading the the classroom version text beforehand.

The text was about Abraham and Sarah, when they were promised that a baby willbe born to them in their old age. Sarah laughed and in Today's English Versionof the Bible it says, "Sarah had stopped having her monthly periods" and quotedSarah's response to the news that she would have a baby as, "Now that I am oldand worn out, can I still enjoy sex?"

A couple of the girls giggled. The fifth grade boy reading the text aloud lookedat the girls, annoyed. "What's so funny about that?" (I think he assumed theywere laughing at him.) The teacher (me) got the joyous task of ever-so-brieflyexplaining periods and sex among the elderly to third through fifth grade girlsand boys. It serves the teacher right for not being more prepared. I'm thankfulthe children taught me a valuable lesson that day.

Sunday School Teachers
At a church retreat, one of the nursery school students had drawn a "smileyface" during his class, and wanted to tell the adults about it. "This is mysmiley face. I made it because God is nice." His teacher and parents seemed tobe doing their job; this is what a three-year-old needs to know and feel aboutGod and church. It makes me feel grateful again for all the teachers who taughtand loved my daughters with patience and understanding over the years.

Who are the people in your life that you need to thank during this season whenwe especially pause to give thanks? Who are you thanking God for?

If you're interested, there is more information about:
The most important event of all time and
The most important Book of all time.

email this message to a friend   |   DW Home

Contributed by Melodie Davis from her weekly columnANOTHER WAY (http://www.thirdway.com/aw/).For information on using Another Way in a local newspaper, contact:ANOTHER WAY, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801-2497; or call1-800-999-3534; fax at 540-434-5556; or email me at:Melodie@mennomedia.org