In the Presence of Greatness and Grace

Julie Parker
Aug 5
2 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

A Brief Moment that Redefined My Understanding of Abundance

I want to share an experience that happened around Thanksgiving, many years ago, around 2002.

I would show up and assist with an inner city mission and street church, a vibrant kitchen and dining room amongst a cheerful core of men and women and patrons of every age and ability volunteering. I still remember the elderly ladies that hovered and fussed over immense pots of soup or chili, stirring away, salting, checking the flavor.

And every now and then, a grocery store or somebody representing them would bring in large boxes of produce. It was usually on the verge of being over ripe or a little bruised, but still very good. And for a community that often did not have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, these deliveries were welcomed.

These boxes would be set on a central table, and people would gather around the boxes.

But this one day, it was around Thanksgiving, I remember that they'd set down a couple tall boxes, and people lined up around the boxes for an opportunity to sample apples, tomatoes or cucumber, produce and fruit that often escaped most budgets.

The first box was emptied immediately in minutes. And suddenly the second box was almost empty, but there was still four or five people waiting quietly in line to have an opportunity. I was nearby tending to a small task but I happened to see this man that I'd seen about downtown and in the mission over time, probably in his late 50s or 60’s, approach the box.

He stepped forward to take his turn at the box, and there was nothing left but a single head of lettuce. The gentleman turned back to look at the remaining people in line, picked up the head and unwrapped the plastic carefully, and peeled off two leaves. He set the lettuce gently back in the plastic, put it back in the box, strolled over to the counter, took a piece of white bread, plain and unadorned, put the lettuce on the bread, folded it in half, and proceeded to enjoy his sandwich.

And the other people behind him followed suit.

I knew I was in the presence of greatness and grace.

And I felt blessed to have just been there to witness his simple act of kindness and sharing - and he shared so much more that day than he could have ever known.

Have an amazing day today and thank you for taking the time to share a moment with me.