Saturday, January 30, 2010

Plastic Flowers

She walked down the median between the six lane road. One hand proudly carried a plastic flower and the other held a grocery bag over her shoulder like a purse. Clothes hung loosely on her body. She didn't cross at the light, but kept walking down the median.

The woman might have been around 50-something, it was hard to tell. But as I stopped at the light in the turn lane next to her, she smiled and nodded. All the way down she was smiling and her lips moved to some unheard song.

It gave me an unpleasant feeling, as if something was terribly wrong. Or was it?

Was she crazy? Was it some kind of experiment? Why did a smiling stranger seem strange? Could it be she was happy with her world and with herself?

"Walk while you have the light." John 12:35

When people look at me, do they see me walking in the joy of my soul? Do my lips move to the words of my God? Am I happy with the world God has given me?

Oh my, what lessons learned from a stranger who loved her plastic flower.

Photo: Bing

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe even an angel to point you to a truth? Have a great weekend! :O)

Parsley said...

Maybe you'll be scared of me but in Highschool everyone thought I was on drugs because I was smiling, laughing and happy all the time. When they'd ask 'why' I'd say I'm just happy and I have Jesus in my heart. Boy that shocked them! That 'drug' is free!

Melinda said...

Beautiful post, Karen. I want to always show contentment and peace despite my circumstances at any given moment. Seems like I will be working on that until I get to heaven! ;0)

Kathryn Magendie said...

Poignant as always, Karen....

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

You've raised some great questions, Karen. You have such insight into little moments that most of us just ignore. That's a blessing, friend!

Love your post.

Karen said...

Diane, we never know when angels are around. Good point.

Parsley, I bet you were a "hoot" in High School. I wish I had known you then. :)

Melinda, thanks, "to be content in all circumstances" for me is a lifelong lesson, too.

Kathryn, thanks, hope your weekend is great and not snowed in????

Laura, I guess it's just my weird sense of "sense?" Thanks. :)

Jean Wise said...

Angels unaware. God speaks to us all the time if we just watch and listen. And you do! Thanks karen

Bina said...

...good post. You are very insightful, my friend...oh and you are very lucky! :) You won a book in the giveaway from my place. Email me your address so I can get it out to you!! Congrats, girlie!!

Huggles,
Bina

Janean said...

It's great that you could learn a lesson of the heart by seeing this woman.

BTW, we ARE going to buy raw honey from local growers...at least until we make our decision. :)

Karen said...

Jeanie, oh how I try to remember and look. I wonder how much goes by each day without our notice?

Bina, yeah! Okay, I'm coming over right now! Thanks!

Janean, I'm learning I miss a boat-load of lessons all the time. Hey, I'm with you about the bees! :)

Auntie Cake said...

Yes, we all need to learn to be happy and content with our plastic flowers. Good insight, as always. I have really tried to smile and show kindness to strangers in the past few months, you just never know how much a simple smile might mean to a stranger. Just taking a bit more time might mean the world to some people. Have a great week!
Kate
Hope you get some "gift boxes!"

Libbie said...

My mom & I saw a woman walking along with just a bra on (& pants) when we stopped to check if she was okay she reached in grabbedme by my hair & started screaming at me. It was very scary & then she even jumped in the back & we drove to the front of a Target while I called the police & leaned forward so she couldn't get me! Luckily the cops were already almost there & looking for her. It was VERY scary but mostly because I was pregnant with ROcco. You never do know what the people who look odd walking down the street are thinking but I did learn one lesson, if you are scared for them & are wondering if they are okay, just keep an eye on um from the distance & call the police :) I know your gifrl was very different but this is what I thought of when I read your story :)

Hilary said...

Very touching, Karen.

Dave said...

an interesting little story that illustrates your point well Karen. - Dave

Karen said...

Kate, wow, that was scary! Oh, I would never pick up any one now-a-days. And that's such a shame. I'm glad the cops were there in a hurry. She must've been on drugs...?

Hilary, and Dave thank you and stop by anytime.

Punctuation Mark said...

Love this post... You should always have a positive attitude and a smile on your face!