Sometimes life is embarrassing.
Yesterday's church anniversary celebration was a joyful event. It was fun to celebrate our church over good food, friends, and even a bouncy house for the children. We walked to our car afterward with a lot to carry...food, treats, diaper bag, children's crafts, bible, and of course 6 children to shepherd. I had Gabby & Evie, while Dan loaded up our big 12 passenger van. Once all gear and children were loaded, we drove home.
Imagine my surprise this afternoon when Dan called me while I was at the boys' karate class to tell me a man had called him, sounding very angry, because he had found my bible...in his front yard. He was angry because he was tired of people littering in front of his home. He threatened that if we did not come get it right away, he would call the police! Class was nearly over. I got the man's address from Dan and drove there, speculating about how angry the man on the other side of the door was going to be with me.
How had my bible ended up in this man's front yard? At home, I use a large, heavy study bible, so I likely wouldn't have missed my small one until closer to sunday. I was shocked to hear that it wasn't at home, let alone that an angry man had it! During the drive, I guessed what must have happened...Dan's hands were so full as he loaded our van yesterday that he must have set my bible on the roof of our van so he could open the door to load everything...and forgot it was there as his mind was on collecting the older children from the bouncy house. Once focused on buckling the children into their seats and getting home, no one noticed my bible on the roof!
The man's home is a lovely house with a white picket fence around it, on our route home from church. I pulled into his driveway & knocked on his door. An older gentleman greeted me. I didn't even know his name. I said I was the lady who lost her bible in his yard. He smiled at me and invited me into his home. I explained what I thought happened. He was kind, very sweet and understanding. He disappeared into his kitchen while I waited near the front door. He returned saying that it didn't appear worse for wear, smiling. We made small talk for a few minutes and then I thanked him again for taking the time to call us so I could have my bible back. As I turned to go, he grinned and said that he might've told my husband a small white lie...that he didn't intend to call the police; he was just tired of people littering in front of his home. His chief complaint was all the beer cans and trash he continually picks up. I told him that would upset me too, and I understood how disrespectful that must feel. We shook hands, he told me his name, and told me I was welcome to come visit again.
I have already written him a thank you note restating my gratitude, and inviting him to attend our church with us if he would like. I will mail it tomorrow. My bible could have flown from our car and landed anywhere...someone else's house, tall grass, etc. But it didn't. It landed in this man's yard. Accident? I don't think so. I don't know what God has planned, but for whatever reason, our paths were meant to cross today.
One of the lessons learned here? I'm thankful God doesn't need us to be perfect to love us, because if His love were conditional on our perfection, there'd be no hope for me!
Thank you to our neighbor down the road for saving my bible and taking his own time to get it back to me. He cared enough to do that, and maybe just needed someone to vent to about how his home has been disrespected.
My bible has added another story to its history. May it continue to bring people together (without flying off a car roof would be okay)!
