Interesting conversations can manifest themselves in the most obscure locations. While pulling a few weeds in the First Fruits Orchard a passerby diverted off the sidewalk and took a seat on one of the benches. She sat quietly as I buzzed around the trees pulling bind weed and goat heads. I soon needed a break and joined her on the opposing bench. We started talking.
She was a visitor from out of town staying with a family member a few blocks away. There were medical issues at the home and she was there to provide comfort and care. She needed a break. She went for a walk and found the orchard on a beautiful day with a slight breeze. Her story ended with “I really needed this place today.”
One of her questions for me was how the orchard came to be, why, and who. I gave her the short summary, something hard for me to do. All she said was “wow”. She then observed a Dad and two kids working the dirt in the Teaching Garden. “Is that yours too?” “Sort of”, I said, “It’s our land, and the High School and neighborhood have that one. I just make sure they have water and watch it happen.”
She needed to get back to the house. I told her there was a note on the garden shed chalk board inviting people to pick some flowers. “I think I’ll take them up on that. It might brighten up my Mom’s day, I know it will mine. Thank you, I needed this place today”.
No less, no more, the Church provided what was needed. Can I get an Amen!