A Popcorn Blessing
I get my popcorn popped. I grab the next elevator going back up. My grandmother is waiting for me.
An old white lady hops on my elevator at the 2nd floor. She smells my popcorn. She asks if it’s good. I tell her it is.
She says she just loves popcorn. She looks at my popcorn bag and says, “Oh, Orville Redenbacher? You like that kind? I sure do!”
Um, yeah. It’s good. What’s up with this woman? She’s still looking and smiling.
I finally ask her, “Would you like some?”, but I hope she’ll say no. I don’t want her digging around in my popcorn bag. I don’t know where her hands have been. We are in a public housing elevator after all.
She says no thank you, a little flustered, and gets off on the 3rd floor. I go on up to the 4th.
Crazy white lady.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I didn’t know the young girl would offer me her popcorn. I was just trying to be nice and make conversation (although it did smell good and I do love popcorn!).
When she asked me, “Would you like some?” I was taken aback. I didn’t expect it. It was a sweet offer. But I said no thank you.
I didn’t expect to see her again. But when I finally made it to the 4thfloor and knocked on the next door on my list for meals, her head peeped out of the apartment.
So she was here visiting her grandmother. Her grandmother isn’t doing so well. I’ve seen her go downhill greatly the past 6 months.
But I know this grandmother is blessed. She has a granddaughter who visits her.
And who offers popcorn to crazy white ladies like me in the elevator.
Blessings pop up in unexpected places. Grace lives here.
* * *
Where have you seen unexpected grace? Please share in the comments.
- 5 Links, Books, and Things I Love – June 2018
- This Public Prayer Stirs Up Grace
What a great popcorn story, Lisa! So heart-felt that stirred my soul. We never know.
You’re right that we never know. God pops up in the most unexpected places at times. I love those kind of surprises.
How sweet this popcorn story! Delighted to hear this evidence of grace. (As a popcorn lover, I would have been savoring the smell.) I love when the Lord shows us little snippets of the ways He is working! I never fail to be amazed at the wonders of His grace and the extent of His interest in the smallest details of our lives.
Yes, I love how God shows up in the details too, Pam. He has a way of catching us off-guard, even in the midst of our own business of thinking we’re the ones “doing good.” We are always receiving grace from his hand, over and over.
I love the popcorn story but I especially love that this grandmother is being visited by someone who loves her. Unfortunately, too many older people have no visitors and are so lonely. Thanks for stopping by Heart Choices and encouraging me as I venture back into blogging world Lisa.
I was so happy to see her visiting her grandmother too. As much as I hate when people get sick, it is comforting to see how it brings out the goodness and the visits from others. I wish that we would be so attentive in times of good health and prime of life.
I’m glad that you’re stepping back into the blogging world, Debbie! Your voice is an important one.
We meet Jesus in unexpected places, in the kindness of others offering what they have.
Yes, and even offering the smallest of gifts (can anything weigh less than a piece of popcorn?) can make such a big impression. The economy of the Kingdom!
Ha – crazy, popcorn lady! Love your “grace-pop” story!
I’m sure the girl thought I was weird. ha. That’s okay. 🙂 She was lovely.
Lisa,
I so enjoyed “A Popcorn Blessing”:)
I write poems (which I call playing with words).
Here are a cinquain and a haiku that I wrote about your post:
popcorn
going up now
smells so good, breathe it in
girl and woman, to share or not
would you?
***
popcorn going up
getting a lift and a sniff
will they share or not
Hope you enjoy these – I had fun writing them:)
What a beautiful offering, Katie! I definitely enjoyed your chinquapin and haiku. You’re gifted. Thanks for your effort and grace to do this.
Grace lives here.
That’s the story of our lives, isn’t it, Lisa …
Thankfully.
Yes, indeed, Linda. Grace, grace, all is grace.
Love the twist and the powerful point!
You might be crazy, but you’re our crazy white lady!
Ha. Yes, I am, Floyd. 🙂 (And I’ve actually had popcorn twice this week already!)
I love your story and those little everyday examples of grace are so encouraging!
Those moments of grace in our everyday lives are always such beautiful reminders that God is still with us. They encourage me too. Thanks, Lesley.
What a great story! I love it when God speaks to us in the everyday… thanks for sharing, Lisa! Stopping by from #SittingAmongFriends
I love those everyday pop-ins too, Laura. God is amazing in his ability to show up in unique ways.
Love this post & from the different players viewpoints too!
I’m a little white haired lady too lol!
I just had such a blessing of grace, my dear man is washing the dishes for me as I read! So I don’t have to do it when he goes out to visit family later, as I am unwell today…How sweet is he!
It’s the grace blessing, in the little unseen things we need to be aware of too… Don’t you think… 😀
Jennifer
Oh, those blessings of dish-washings! Those are some of my favorite kinds. 🙂 Sounds like you have a good man in your house like I do. We are blessed indeed, Jennifer. Yes, grace.
Love this Lisa!
Thanks, Meg. We never know where God is going to teach us a lesson. 🙂