Throughout the “Doing What Matters” process we have been discussing ways of doing and being the church. What makes this process unique is that we are starting with the people!! You. Me. The person next to you. The one you stood behind in line at the coffee shop the other day. The one you are going to have lunch with tomorrow.
Speaking of people! I love People! No, not just the magazine that I do read cover to cover each week. I love being with people. Talking to people. Hanging out with people. Meeting new people. But what I really enjoy most is watching people. Do you like to watch people, too?
One of my favorite people-watching places is the airport. In December, my husband Steve and I were heading to Florida, and when I had finished getting redressed after security I sat and began my watching. There was the family with three teens! I saw the couple travelling with a small dog! The mom of a young toddler was there, apologizing to us for her daughter’s behavior before we even boarded the plane. And yes, as luck would have it, the toddler sat across from Steve and I and never slept!!
Part of the fascination of living in a small state is that I knew that most of these people would probably be with us on our return flight. Sure enough, when we returned to the airport at the end of the week, there was my family with the teens, the dog people, and to my joy no toddler! As I continued my observation of people watching I noticed a lady across from me. Very put together. Older than me. Strong posture. Very confident in her chair. She gave off a vibe that said: “Don’t mess with me”. I sat, and continued watching people, after hearing that our flight was now delayed 2 hours. This upsets the teens and my husband. The dog had his drugs so he did not care.
As I took it all in, I couldn’t help but notice when the lady across from me- with the “Don’t mess with me” attitude-took a phone call and suddenly began weeping. I mean sobbing. Now, even the non-people watchers are now watching. I feel something inside me telling me to-GET UP AND GO TO HER. NOW! I knew what I needed to do, but I was scared and very nervous approaching this strong woman who was not very strong at that moment. I got up and went to her and hugged her. She didn’t speak. But she let me hold her. Then she whispered to me: “My mom just died.” I continued to hold her. She told me that she laid beside her mom for the last two weeks at a hospice facility. She felt happy that she was able to be with her mom during the last days of her life. Even though she was prepared for the phone call, she could not hold in her grief. She thanked me and I kept my eye on her until we boarded.
I am telling you this story because doing what matters can be scary. Following Jesus is not always easy. Listen to what God has to say. Leave your fears and hesitations behind. Sometimes, all He expects of you is that you get up, and walk across the room to hug a complete stranger at an airport.
If we all start doing what matters, it will matter.
Sheri Dumas is a student of the New England Synod’s Lay School of ministry and a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Barrington, RI
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