“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life…”I Thessalonians 4:7

A slender gentleman, likely in his 80’s, glanced my way and offered me his spot in the checkout line.

Ninety plus degrees outside and I notice his soft sweatshirt hoodie was all the way zipped and baggy around his crisp but loose khakis.

Hardly a wrinkle in his thin face, I noticed as he smiled sweetly and asked again if I’d like his spot in the long line at Publix on senior citizen day.

He began to talk about kindness and how we need a resurgence of it. He moved on to politicians and I did my best to lead him back to kindness, respectfully agreeing with him that misuse of money or promises of wealth made by politicians isn’t what this country needs.

I believe he said what we need and I drifted in thought because I’m not one to engage in a discussion over the next potential President.

I’m not smart that way nor interested in debate.

Lines moved and he moved forward. I left my cart and went to tell him

“We keep our light and peace so that others get a little light when they’re near us.” LT

He smiled and added, “Seeing you blessed me today.” I replied, “and you for me.”

He paused to talk to another cashier, pushed his groceries past the exit to chat and lingered. I found my car and loaded my bags and turned to head home to see him engaged in another chat with a man gathering buggies.

I hoped they weren’t annoyed, the others like me interrupted by the kindness of this gentle man who spoke softly about life.

Who brought light and peace and just a hint of politics wrapped in age and wisdom.

This morning, I’m remembering a conversation about my father, about the longing for him to have lived longer.

Somehow I know God told the man in Publix to notice me, to take a chance on a grocery store conversation.

To gift my afternoon an encounter of peace.

To send an angel dressed in baggy but crisply ironed khakis, a thin face like my daddy’s and the same hair, only gray.

You are loved. Continue and believe.