Nancy sat at the kitchen table contemplating her coffee. She splurged that last
trip to the store and bought some Irish Crème creamer instead of Mini Moos.
Jack had been in Afghanistan for a few months now. She had one young man left
in high school. She wondered about her life. Where does she go now? Her husband
had been dead for 4 years. His death was hard on the whole family but everyone
had dealt with it in their own way and had grown. Here she sat wondering to
herself, where do I go now?
Jack’s younger brother, John, was months away from graduating from high school. Nancy could see the day when the kids were gone and she was an empty nester. What does she do with her life? She and her husband fought the good fight throughout all the hard knocks life threw at them. Each time they grew closer. She remembered days when the two of them sat crying, holding each other, wondering where their next meal would come from. They were grateful that a neighbor gave them rice. They ate rice for a few days but were extremely thankful. She was determined to do for others who were in a time of need.
She was already doing her part in a small way. She volunteered at the food pantry at her church. It always warmed her heart when she could love on someone who came in for some food. Too often, they entered the pantry with a bit of fear. Usually, they were embarrassed. Nonetheless, Nancy’s smile and warm reception eased their trepidation and they always left with a smile and a glimmer of hope.
Therefore, Nancy knew she wanted to do some type of ministry full time. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be a missionary. Maybe she’d start her own food kitchen or take over the one at church. Whatever God wanted her to do.
Later in the day she went through the canned goods that had been donated. It wasn’t often but sometimes people donated expired items so they all had to be checked. Also, like a grocery, the stock had to be rotated. Old stuff forward, new food in the back. As she looked at and stacked each can, she looked forward to Charlotte coming to visit during her lunch break. Needless to say, she hoped for news about Jack.
Nancy heard the door open and close. She called out, “Hello.” “Hello to you, Ms. Nancy.” was the reply. Bob peered around the corner and smiled.
Hello, Bob, what are you doing here?
I’m supposed to meet Janet so we can go over a piece I’m supposed to sing in a couple weeks. Any news from Jack?
Nothing lately. He says he is healthy. He has some good friends and guys in his platoon are top notch. Thank you for asking.
Please tell him I am praying for him and think about him often.
I will.
With that, Bob walked into the sanctuary. A few minutes later she heard him singing. Since Janet hadn’t arrived, he was singing a cappella. It was a lively tune and he seemed to really be into it.
Charlotte walked in quickly and gave a hug to Nancy. “How are you today?” Nancy smiled and said, “I am well. You? Have you heard from my boy?” Charlotte returned the smile and replied, “No nothing yet.”
The two girls chit chatted while the music in the sanctuary continued. Janet arrived through another door and the two of them went through the piece a couple times. Bob was very high spirits and it showed in his singing. When he finished singing, he and Janet went their separate ways. Bob came back into the pantry with a rush and singing in a loud vaudeville type voice sang the “Hello Ma Baby” song from the Warner Brothers cartoon. Both Nancy and Charlotte laughed at Bob and he carried on with the part.
Seeing Charlotte gave Bob a jolt but he was in entertainer mode so, since the show must go on, he continued until the familiar tune was finished. He made certain to split time crooning to both ladies and they both seemed to enjoy it giving their applause when he finished.
At the completion of the song, Bob said with a dramatic flourish, “I must bid you fair maidens adieu but you have made my day with your adoration. I have more shows tomorrow at 1, 4, and 7.” Then he disappeared through the door.
Still smiling, Nancy looked away from Bob and noticed Charlotte still looking at the door. Instantly, her mother bear reflexes were activated.
Jack’s younger brother, John, was months away from graduating from high school. Nancy could see the day when the kids were gone and she was an empty nester. What does she do with her life? She and her husband fought the good fight throughout all the hard knocks life threw at them. Each time they grew closer. She remembered days when the two of them sat crying, holding each other, wondering where their next meal would come from. They were grateful that a neighbor gave them rice. They ate rice for a few days but were extremely thankful. She was determined to do for others who were in a time of need.
She was already doing her part in a small way. She volunteered at the food pantry at her church. It always warmed her heart when she could love on someone who came in for some food. Too often, they entered the pantry with a bit of fear. Usually, they were embarrassed. Nonetheless, Nancy’s smile and warm reception eased their trepidation and they always left with a smile and a glimmer of hope.
Therefore, Nancy knew she wanted to do some type of ministry full time. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be a missionary. Maybe she’d start her own food kitchen or take over the one at church. Whatever God wanted her to do.
Later in the day she went through the canned goods that had been donated. It wasn’t often but sometimes people donated expired items so they all had to be checked. Also, like a grocery, the stock had to be rotated. Old stuff forward, new food in the back. As she looked at and stacked each can, she looked forward to Charlotte coming to visit during her lunch break. Needless to say, she hoped for news about Jack.
Nancy heard the door open and close. She called out, “Hello.” “Hello to you, Ms. Nancy.” was the reply. Bob peered around the corner and smiled.
Hello, Bob, what are you doing here?
I’m supposed to meet Janet so we can go over a piece I’m supposed to sing in a couple weeks. Any news from Jack?
Nothing lately. He says he is healthy. He has some good friends and guys in his platoon are top notch. Thank you for asking.
Please tell him I am praying for him and think about him often.
I will.
With that, Bob walked into the sanctuary. A few minutes later she heard him singing. Since Janet hadn’t arrived, he was singing a cappella. It was a lively tune and he seemed to really be into it.
Charlotte walked in quickly and gave a hug to Nancy. “How are you today?” Nancy smiled and said, “I am well. You? Have you heard from my boy?” Charlotte returned the smile and replied, “No nothing yet.”
The two girls chit chatted while the music in the sanctuary continued. Janet arrived through another door and the two of them went through the piece a couple times. Bob was very high spirits and it showed in his singing. When he finished singing, he and Janet went their separate ways. Bob came back into the pantry with a rush and singing in a loud vaudeville type voice sang the “Hello Ma Baby” song from the Warner Brothers cartoon. Both Nancy and Charlotte laughed at Bob and he carried on with the part.
Seeing Charlotte gave Bob a jolt but he was in entertainer mode so, since the show must go on, he continued until the familiar tune was finished. He made certain to split time crooning to both ladies and they both seemed to enjoy it giving their applause when he finished.
At the completion of the song, Bob said with a dramatic flourish, “I must bid you fair maidens adieu but you have made my day with your adoration. I have more shows tomorrow at 1, 4, and 7.” Then he disappeared through the door.
Still smiling, Nancy looked away from Bob and noticed Charlotte still looking at the door. Instantly, her mother bear reflexes were activated.
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