What’s in your wallet?

That question is not as important as the questions, “where is your wallet?” Not that I misplace things, lose things or otherwise have no idea where I put something, but it’s at the time that incident might reveal itself is usually quite inconvenient, if not embarressing.

I have left the groceries at the store because I had no wallet. I was checking out: I checked myself out and came back later with a wallet. And then there were a couple times when I had my wallet but somehow the card I needed had taken a road trip to somewhere and not come back to rest in the comforts of the black zippered wallet. It is a very humbling experience when you are forced to show empty hands. It’s also embarrassing. It’s not nearly as powerful in Rochester where the chances of people knowing me are slim but probable. Kasson, Erdmans- I either taught their mother, played for them in the band competition or they know my children. I can’t get away with looking like a fool and someone not reminding me weeks later, “Aren’t you the lady who (fill in the blank)?”

I don’t have a fear of failure- I do it quite well. I don’t fear being embarrassed, I also have come to handle that often and well. The older I get the more I realize that putting on my shorts inside out, having no clue where I am going down a wrong way, or mistaking someone’s identity, this is a regular practice. Should I wonder where my brain is? No, it’s right where it should be but it just sometimes takes a hiatus when it should be engaged.

I wish there were more “duh” moments recorded in the Bible just so I could feel better about my “gears slipping” and my tires going flat with a full load on. However, since I can’t seem to find Peter wrapping his cloak around him upside down, or Jesus turning water into eggnog, I need to remember that laughter is a good medicine and being humble gives us the chance to relate to people in ways that just may love them more than our prideful moments.

Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” It’s no wonder Paul put the word humble before gentle, patient and bearing one another and tying it up in love. We tend to be prideful, jerk people’s hearts around while tapping our foot in total “I’m ready to move on” moments and forget the love: it went out with the pride. I am not always in a hurry but it seems that when I am I get behind an old Buick (sorry) with a silver Sneaker Sister driving. It used to bother me, now I just think that’s someone’s grandma. I can back off and give her lots of room and time. I see an old hat sitting in the front seat with both hands on the wheel staring at the road ahead going 35 in a 60 and I think, well could be Grandpa Frank. Nah- he would be going 67 in a 60. It changes my perspective when I put the name of someone I loved in front of the thing that may frustrate me.

So perhaps the lady in front of me has so many coupons she can’t find the one she wants, or forgot her wallet, or it’s me pulling a “moment of total loss of anything sane”, the importance is knowing that God lets us be just us. There will be day we won’t have anything in the wallet and days we can’t find it. And it’s ok! Tomorrow will come and I will forget where I am going and meet new people in the u-turns I must make. It’s a wonderful thing losing your mind!!!