Exact Change
Yesterday, the U.S. Mint made an appeal to the public: If possible, please use exact change when making in-store purchases. For months now, because of the pandemic, people haven’t been sticking to typical shopping patterns. Reduced shopping and online shopping have slowed the usual exchange of currency, and it’s causing trouble. The Mint says there’s plenty of loose change residing in people’s pockets and coin purses and vehicle consoles and under couch cushions. It just needs to start circulating again! So if you’re able, help fulfill your civic duty and work to resolve the problem of retailers’ empty cash drawers by shopping with coins.
This plea reminded me of an encounter I had a few years back. I wrote an essay about it then, and I’ll share it with you below.
Handfuls of Jangly Blessings to You,
Pastor Chris
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 145:8
I had an opportunity to be gracious today. The transaction went down in the Soft Drink and Snack Food aisle of the grocery store. As I loaded up the cart with three 12-packs for $9.99, a friendly young woman approached me. “Hey, how’re you doin’?” she asked in a croaky voice.
“I’m doing well, thanks. How are you?” I answered back politely.
“I’m great!” the stranger explained exuberantly. “I just got back from my sister’s house. I was there a whole week.” She stood stalwartly on pudgy legs, and although she efficiently blocked me from making forward progress, she was without malice. She smiled broadly. Happiness registered not only in the curve of her mouth, but in the twinkle of her up-slanted eyes.
“I’m glad you had a good time,” I said. “It’s nice to get away on vacation.”
“Can I have a nickel?” she asked.
“Excuse me?”
“Can I have a nickel?” She lifted up a small package wrapped in white deli paper and pointed to the price sticker. $1.05. “I have a dollar in my pocket. Can I have a nickel?”
Her unashamed persistence melted my heart. I began fishing in my purse for change. While I hunted, she waited, patiently expectant. I located a quarter and handed it over, but she shook her very round head. “No. A nickel.”
I stifled a laugh and searched further. Eventually, I came up with the correct coin. I placed it in her open palm. She curled her stubby fingers—characteristic of Down syndrome—close around it. She thanked me loudly and moved on. As I continued to stock my cart, I heard her making conversation in the next lane over. “I just got back from my sister’s house. I was there a whole week….”
This real time, live action parable provided an episode of delight along with a measure of insight. I found joy in being able to meet the woman’s immediate need (all for the bargain price of 5 cents). In this life, it’s not often that a problem can be solved so simply and perfectly. To be able to respond to a request with kindness and completeness flooded me with the pleasing sensation of goodwill.
Is this the sort of payoff God gets for being gracious with us, I wonder?
And what if, as with the woman who refused the quarter because she was set on getting a nickel, God has even greater blessings in store for us than we are primed to receive? Are we foolish for expecting God to dole out mercy, patience and love in Dixie Cups when, indeed, God is poised to pour from an unrestricted garden hose? Maybe God stifles a laugh (or holds back a tear) when we are stingy about what we are willing to receive.
~Originally published July 6, 2014 online at dailytextsdevotions.blogspot.com.
++++++++++
Parking Lot Worship Begins on Sunday, July 26
We will be trying a new thing this weekend! Over the radio in your very own vehicle, listen to live worship being broadcast from inside the College Hill sanctuary! If you’d like to participate, please arrive in the parking lot no earlier than 9:30 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. service. Follow the instructions from your Parking Attendants, and praise God from the safe bubble of your car.
Virtual Activities Continue
Virtual Fellowship Time on Zoom – Sundays at 11:30 a.m.
As we re-introduce live worship back into our Sunday schedule, we are moving Virtual Fellowship Time on Zoom to 11:30 a.m. This casual online gathering has taken root over the last few months and become a wonderful way to keep connected. Whether you’ve become a “regular” at these gatherings, or you’re thinking about dropping by for the very first time, please take note that the Zoom link has changed and a Password is now required. Please find the new information below. I expect to use the same link each week. (I’ve learned not to make too many promises during the pandemic, though!)
And if Zoom is new to you and you’d like to be coached on how to get started, please email me at moravianpastorchris@gmail.com or call me at 484-894-9077.
To join by computer, tablet or smart phone, please go to:
Passcode: 789162
To join by phone (no video), dial:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 998 3134 7702
Zoom Prayers–Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
We are also continuing to offer Zoom Prayers on Sunday evenings at 6:30. We come together to share simply in intercessory prayer on behalf of our congregation, community, and world. We usually conclude by 7:00 p.m. All are welcome!
To join by computer, tablet, or smart phone, please go to:
Passcode: 073131
To join by phone (no video), dial:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 919 6174 3369
Moravian Church Without Walls
Moravian Church Without Walls (MCWW) will offer a virtual service open to all at 11:00 am ET on Sunday, July 26. This Sunday, we return live with a service presented by the Board of World Mission, featuring worship from around the globe.
The webinar begins at 11:00 a.m.; click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/310492867 to join the service. We encourage you to log in early. We are using the Zoom videoconference service, which allows those with a computer, smartphone or tablet to participate. You may need to install a program on your device to access the Zoom stream. For information on what you need to make Zoom work on your system, visit www.zoom.us.
Blog
