intersections

Yesterday was one of those days that just clicked in unexpected ways. My agenda included following up on some wedding contacts (cake, florist, reception site, etc.) and taking care of a few other details that are part of life. Mid-morning I got a phone call from a colleague at the cathedral asking if I could do the noon service since something had come up that he had to deal with. I enjoy doing that service, so saying “yes” was a no-brainer.

I used to do the Monday service on a regular basis when one of our diocesan canons was recovering from heart surgery, and I subbed for him for quite a few months. (The photo below is from that time.) There were some regular attendees at that service on Mondays, and on the occasions when I have been back to fill in since that initial stint, I have hoped to see them. Halfway through the service yesterday I looked up and saw Kendall, one of my old Monday “crew.”

After the service, when the others had left, Kendall was still sitting in the chapel, praying. I went in to extinguish the candles on the altar, and she said, “you know, I haven’t been here in a long time, and today I came and here you are.” For both of us, the day’s path had taken an unplanned turn that led both of us to be in the same place. We sat and talked for about half an hour, which was good for both of us, and we parted with hugs and tears and gratitude that the day’s grace had brought an opportunity for our lives to intersect again. There are so many reasons to be thankful that I am back in this place that I called home once before, and this is one of them. Opportunity. For reconnection, rediscovery, renewal, and a myriad of other small graces that pop up in the course of walking the dogs, listening to cows moo, and sharing a zip code with the red-necked woman. Even with the stresses and challenges that are part of our life right now, life is good. Just like my t-shirt says.