When the Menu is Manna

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 By now the line was shrinking ahead of me, yet endless behind me. I had been standing there for what seemed the equivalent of several eternities.  While waiting, I listened to the one-sided bantering of a disgruntled customer that was going on without restraint just ahead of me. Such talk did nothing to rectify the problem the angry passenger had with the dilemma we were all facing – missing the last flight of the evening. Clearly, the passenger and the ticket agent remained on opposite ends of what constituted a viable solution. I understood the frustration as I too had missed my last opportunity for a connecting flight that evening. I was tired, disappointed, and now annoyed at the situation I found myself in but more so at the situation this disgruntled patron ahead of me was creating. The tension began to rise in my temples, and my face was suddenly growing flush as I stood by and ...

                                                                                                                        It was fairly early in the day, when a little was brought to my office. It seemed that he had created quite the nonpeaceful environment for others in the classroom. So out of character, I thought it best to listen to his defense before issuing a consequence. In a matter of seconds, I learned all about the tragedies his family was facing at that very moment, poverty and cancer were among the top robbers of his peace. We spent some time talking through those things and he returned to class a little more settled. I wondered about what would happen to him and his family. I ...