Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Grace in the Chaos


It started off by waking up way before the alarm at 4:40 AM about the time JMR was leaving for work.  After working for the morning, I decided to ride my bike to the gym to work out.  Soon I discovered the tires were very low and I couldn't find the bike pump.  I rode to the gym anyway via the service station with an air machine.  However, it cost 75 cents for three minutes of air.  In my pockets -- nothing except a debit card. Arriving at the gym later than usual, I found my my favorite machines occupied and at that moment my reading glasses broke. 

I did work out.

Heading home, I stopped for cash at a nearby ATM, and proceeded to the service station to fill up my tires.  I wasn't quite sure how the pressure gauge worked but I checked the tires which said "fill to 75" whatever the measure system is.  I made sure the gauge didn't go over 60 whatever-the-measure is.  Very proud of my self sufficiency, which I could wave in front of JMR, I rode on into the intersection of Braddock and Rt. 123 where I had the walk signal. 

There was a loud bang like I'd never heard before as trucks and cars are whizzing by.  "Is someone shooting?" I thought.  I looked down and my tire was flapping in the wind -- POPPED.  My bike and I became walking companions.

Grace broke in when I caught up to a neighbor who was walking home from the store.  Living in the same neighborhood for 4.5 years, this was the first time I ever met Jim who'd lived in North Hill since 1983.  For the first time in 4.5 years, we spent fifteen sun-filled, September minutes walking together.

Grace broke in at 5:55 when I decided to stop trying to sleep and get up and work.  I was done with Sunday's bulletin by 10:00 AM and had some ideas working for the sermon.

Grace broke in at the gym when I asked for a young woman's assistance with my glasses and with her good eyes and long fingernails she was able to put the little screw back in place. I worked out for 45 min. reading happily.

Grace broke in -- and -- the day's not over yet.

 

No comments: