“May we share this table with you?” the woman asked as she set her picnic lunch beside us at the lone table overlooking the gorge with its humongous rocks and rushing water. We had pulled over on the Kancamgus 34.5 mile National Scenic Byway to have lunch on that summer day.
While eating, we chatted with the woman and the teenager who she said she mentored. After visiting about the usual things of where we live and so forth, the girl wondered if she could ask a question.
“Sure,” I said, knowing what was coming.
“Why do you wear that on your head,” she asked, referring to my prayer covering.
I’m not bold like Paul, and I wondered how to answer. I did not want to offend the friendly lady we’d been talking with.
Before I could say anything, the lady said, “I should know. I used to wear one.” She then proceeded to give a clear answer straight from 1 Corinthians 11. She did it honestly and humbly, and I felt in a better way than I ever could have. Without a doubt God put this lady in this place, at this time for a reason. Before we parted, the girl asked, “May I give you a hug?” 🫂 We hugged and said goodbye. We did not exchange phone numbers.
This incident happened many years ago. Last evening, Laurence and I stopped to eat our picnic supper at Rocky Gorge on the Kancamgus Highway. (It must be one of the prettiest places in all of America.) Laurence asked, “Isn’t this where we met the woman?” Ever since we arrived my thoughts had been with the dear lady. My prayers too.
God, who sees the sparrow fall, knows her name and right where she (and I) are. He can direct her steps. He doesn’t need a phone number.
Berniece
ps Today we plan to take the cog train up Mount Washington. Last time we did this, my parents were along. I want to do it in memory of Dad. He enjoyed it so much and said someday he’d return. Instead, he went Home to the most beautiful place of all.
An Ordinary Life 