She has developed a routine of stepping into our offices to just rest in the peace of the front room away from the busyness of our location and from the threat of every stranger she meets. For me, she was an intrusion. Though I’d like to think I’m always a better person than that, I am also rather introverted and I like to plan my spontaneity (if you know what I mean).
She quotes random truths in a rapid-fire way that is obviously meant to insulate her from the threat that living among mere mortals brings. I struggled to catch the wave of her sharing to begin to understand her. (I prayed for understanding.)
I don’t presume to take on every soul I encounter. (Nobody has energy for everyone!) It became obvious to me that I would befriend her.
We spent the morning together tending to some very necessary business for her life. We filled out forms and navigated businesses and governments. It wasn’t a sacrifice. I was just being friendly. Oddly, she never changed her way of communicating but I’ve started to “understand” and I’m certain that is God’s help. I could hear what this woman was saying. She is tender. We talked about friends and foes and concerns and there was NO DIFFERENCE in the kind of conversation I had with this lady than those I have with all my closest friends. (Perhaps, I didn’t share, but the topics were very similar.)
I really never welcome intrusions. I will inwardly roll my eyes a little…sigh a little…grouse a little. Still, in the little intrusions there can be beauty. I saw her face relax. I saw her worries reduced. She giggled. She joked.
Laura Leigh Chats 