What a welcome the weekend was.
We were both exhausted and weary from the past week. What made us go downtown by the capitol in Richmond so early on a Saturday morning, I don’t remember. But there we were, having parked and walking around with some welcome free time to do whatever we wanted. Then we saw the White Castle and said, “Let’s get some breakfast.”
We went in and sat on stools at two of the few counter places in the little cafe. Nobody else was in there. An older African American woman took our order. She has gotten up so early this morning and is running the place by herself, I thought. As she fried the bacon and carefully put the eggs on the griddle, we sat quietly and watched.
Above the sound of the blower above the griddle, I could faintly hear her humming. I believe it was a hymn that was very familiar to me. Whatever it was about the moment, it got my full attention, and she spoke to me a sermon that rivaled any Sunday sermon I ever heard. It got right into my heart. I marveled at her peace and contentment at her work. It pointed up my own attitude so many times about ‘work.‘ It was compared to my lack of enthusiasm about the common everyday tasks of a mother and wife that were part of my life. As she placed the plates in front of us and we began to eat, I felt humbled by her kind service to me.
That has been years ago now, but it is stamped in the memory, because it made me want to be more like her. Lord, make me to be more thankful, grateful, content, and kinder in the work that you have given me to do.
Elaine is the founder of hymnserve.com. Her website provides downloadable hymn accompaniment for congregations, small groups and individuals.
Hymns That Help 