Saturday, May 23, 1998
Moments of Grace
Certain moments of grace for me are unforgettable as early
milestones on a journey of faith. I'd like to share one of them.
At 20, I dropped out of college and went off to find myself,
or something. It was one of the worst times for job-hunting in
recent history, but not at all so in Houston where I promptly
found pleasant work and a bachelor's lifestyle that was reasonably
carefree.
One evening I attended a discussion meeting of a Buddhist sect,
having always been curious about that religion. Upon returning
to my apartment, I was trying to pronounce the words in a liturgy
booklet and reflecting on the day's events, when I remembered
my money.
I'd bought a pair of sneakers right after work and now realized
with dismay that was the last I'd seen of a freshly cashed paycheck
-- about $360. My heart sank as I realized I must have dropped
the cash when putting the shoes on outside the store.
Scarcely daring to hope, angry at my incredible carelessness,
I ran to the nearby mini-mall, muttering that if THIS is what
happens when a guy tries the chant, well...
The envelope was there on the sidewalk where it had been for
about five hours, bills fanned out invitingly. The store was just
closing; the area was well-lighted and kids rode by on bikes as
I stood there, hugging the rent and grocery funds and chanting
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Since those days, having a paycheck has evolved into maintaining
a career. "A place to stay" came to mean investing in
a home, after getting-a-date values turned into marriage and family.
No longer carefree nor especially careless, I find I may not
take any of these attainments or life itself for granted, just
as Scripture warns.
So it's a great grace that common mortals who embrace true
and valid prayer are empowered to recover from loss, not merely
be consoled.
Noel Singleton
Abilene
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