"All words are symbols that represent unspeakable realities. Which is also why words are magical." (Donald Miller tweet)

Friday, February 19, 2016

at Atwater & St. Catherine

On my way to work yesterday morning, just a block short of my office.

I walk to work now.
Have I mentioned that?
Love it.

Anyway, got to the corner of St. Catherine and Atwater, and heard, "Excuse me ... are you crossing in this direction?"

I turned and saw an older gentleman, with a cane and some bags.

"I can," I said.

"I just need some help across the street," he said. "I can't see very well."

I took his bags, and he took my hand, and we started off together.

"You must be an angel," he said.

"Nope," I said, "but I am a pastor, actually."

"Really??!!" he said. "That's WONDERFUL. I love to see women taking leadership in the Christian church!"

He started telling me the words of his favourite hymn, happily quoting every verse. "You should get a copy of the song," he said. "Just call me. I'm Bert. But everyone calls me Uncle Bert."

He named a church and asked if I was from there.

"No," I said. "I'm just across Cabot Square there, at Evangel."

His eyes got wide. "At Evangel? What's your name?"

"Patti," I said.

"I was talking to a friend last week who goes to Evangel. They told me there's a new female pastor there."

"That's me," I said.

"They said her name was Pastor Patti," he said.

"Yup -- I'm Pastor Patti," I said.

He laughed, blessed me right there on the street, and laughed again as he walked away, shaking his head.

"Wait until I tell my friend that Pastor Patti helped me across the street!!"

And I smiled
all the way
to the office.