Work Clothes

I spilled coffee on my alb.  For those I have confused all ready: an alb is the white robe which pastors sometimes wear when leading worship.  And generally, there is no good way to wear an alb if you are also female, best to just accept that it'll look goofy.  Initially when I started internship this year, I was really hesitant about the fashion of my alb.  I have since embraced its function, that it's a symbol and also a way for worship to not be about me.  I take enough grief about what I wear as a pastor-type, sometimes the alb is a reminder that it's not what I wear or what I look like which matters.  

Sunday morning and I am doing pulpit supply for an area church while their pastor is on vacation.  (pulpit: the podium a pastor uses to preach from.  pulpit supply: well, that the pastor who usually there is absent, so someone needs to fill in.  It's like substitute teaching for preachers.)  Because it's not my church I had to bring my extra stuff. In my hands I had internet driving directions (which were of course, not accurate), sermon, alb on a wire hanger with cross and rope belt (which also has a church-y name, but I won't bore you with it), keys, purse, mittens; and because it's morning, my coffee.  Holding all these things and keeping my composure was... trying.

As I walk into the church, blown by the prairie wind across the snowy landscape.  My rope belt is dragging, I am nearly tripping over it and my coffee is sloshing around.  The sermon is between my teeth, which makes it difficult to smile at the nervous looking church go-ers. 

Things were looking up when I met my acolyte, a bubbly seventh grader who was not shy in telling me what's what.  After I shared with her the horror stories of acolytes lighting their hair on fire, it was time to dress for the service.  She took the white acolyte robe off her hanger. 

"I've never understood why these have to be white."  Thinking of the spot of spilled coffee on the sleeve of my alb, I concurred.  She went on, "They look so goofy and you can see through them so you can see your not white underneath."  And they also clashed with her neon green shoes.

As I buttoned my own alb at the shoulders, "They are supposed to remind us of our baptismal gowns."

She grabbed her acolyte candle stick, "When my sister was baptized, I spilled formula all down her front.  BEFORE the service.  My mom had to clean her up before they could take pictures."

I nodded, while I remembered the day my niece was baptized.  My mom was holding her during the sermon (post-baptism) when she whispered to me in the pew behind her. "Do you have your Tide bleach pen?"  Apparently heritage baptismal gowns and blown out diapers don't mix well.  My niece, meanwhile, was sleeping on her belly on top of her grandma's lap-- while grandma furiously applied the stain remover to her bum, while being discreet, of course.

Minutes later, I was standing in front of people I didn't know, as they were waiting for me to say something of profound worth.  Taking a deep breath, I was glad suddenly that I had dressed for the occasion in a garment which reminded me that it's not about me.  And I have a coffee stain to prove it.

When Coffee is free, and Tow Trucks are not

Remember all those lovely things I said about Minnesota snowstorms last week?  I take some of them back and add this caveat: travelling in wintry weather, stinks.

Also, I found a friendly gas station outside Elbow Lake, when I brought up a just-filled up coffee cup the kindly high school kid behind the counter told me, "we don't charge for coffee here".  Could have hugged him.  Who would have guessed the unexpected blessing of a free cup of coffee with a side order of small talk.

I was still sipping that free coffee and hanging unto its good feelings as I was waiting for the tow truck in the ditch on the banks of Flekkefjord Lake.  Snow was pouring unto my windshield, making the road more impassable every minute.  I was berating myself for my poor winter driving skills, grace for myself came in every free coffee sip.  These things happen, after all.  Begrudgingly I (sip) was reminded that this is the second tow truck I needed in the last two days.  If only tow trucks were as gracious as free gas station coffee.  Tow trucks should have punch cards.  After four tows, the fifth one is free.  And these should be recognized by all tow trucks everywhere.  I should design a business plan (sip) for more gracious towing.  Then again, the guy with the fifth tow, I would be robbing him of part of his livelihood and the way in which he supports his family.  And I can't imagine its an easy job, (sip) meeting up with people who have met with misfortune, adrenaline and  frustration coursing through their veins making mostly nice people into insensitive jerks.  They should get paid for that.  

I sighed.  Waved at the kindly police officer parked on the side of the road.  Soon, my tow truck deliverer arrived.  Leaving my Grace Coffee in its cup holder; I donned my red stocking cap, pulled on blue mittens and stepped into wet snow drift up to my hip.  Tow Man #2 smiled at me and asked, "You got 50 bucks?"  Sighing again, I wrote out my check, and dreamed of tow truck punch cards while looking for other signs of lived-out graciousness in this wet-snowy landscape.    

Gifts of a Minnesota Snowstorm

"Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed." -- Mary Oliver 

I have been thinking lately of the significance of a Minnesota snow storm.  For a little while, it's all we can talk about, the moisture falling from the sky coming to nourish the earth (eventually), consumes our conversation, our attention and my Facebook news feed.  The flurries of conversation echo the flurries of flakes.  Both have a hunger for mystery.  Snow comes and disguises the ground.  Is that a snowbank or a sleeping giant?  Why could be hiding in the covered evergreen?  It also makes all the hard edges of the landscape soft, and looking at the snow, the whiteness might for a moment be considered warm.

I miss terribly my dear friend, Mandy, who delights in a snowstorm.  Having a low tolerance for cold, I borrow some enthusiasm from her.  She loves the snow in the same manner as a large dog would; her personality in all its gregarious graciousness is very like these creatures.  She is many things I am not, which makes our friendship a beautiful give and take.  I wish today, as if the falling snowflakes were falling stars, for a coffee date with conversation to borrow some of her snowy spirit.  They glisten almost the same, perhaps it'll work.

It is March, and the snow is starting to wear on me.  As a native Minnesotan still living in state, I need to remind myself of an old creed of mine: "You may not be upset with snow when it comes between Halloween and Easter.  After or before, be mad.  In between, embrace what is." Snow drives people like Mandy, bless her, out into the whiteness filled with wonder.  Her laughter fills me with delight.  Snow drives people inside, to cozy fires, sweats and socks, to old movies, popcorn and quality time with each other.  Winter warmth might not be in the sunshine, but it is in the company of one another.  And in each others' shelter, the people live, grow, and are nourished by the snow.