Tuesday With Teri

          The dry cleaning lady knows my name. … I’m not sure if this is because my husband’s work attire of choice promotes frequent visits to the dry cleaner, or if she makes an effort to recall names as part of a company public relations/marketing plan.  I don’t actually care why she knows my name, only that she does.   I love it.   My first realization of this came when I was dropping off my usual arm load of pants and shirts.   She greeted me before I even reached the counter, “Hi Miss Miller”.   At the time I did not openly react with the surprise and delight I felt upon hearing my name.  Maybe I had only imagined it.  Then another time, I entered the store and before giving them my phone number or ticket I was greeted with, “Hi Miss Miller, are you going to work out today?”   (You see the dry cleaner is next to the Curves Gym that I work out at.  I am often either going or have just come from there on my way to the cleaners.)  I felt like a rock star…she not only knew my name, but she also cared about my workout plans!  The best part took place the other day.  I was heading into Curves (I was not even going to the dry cleaners), she had just stepped out of her store when she saw me and shouted, “you go Miss Miller!”   I felt like Rocky Balboa in the training scene where the “public” cheered him on in his effort to get in shape.  Sadly, I do not know her name, but I must confess, her use of my name and her effort to engage me beyond that of dry cleaning has made me her customer for life.  I know it was a simple thing…and maybe I am too easily moved…but it does highlight an important point: Relationships Matter. 

          2008 was a year filled with reminders of this very thing.  The year began with the loss of my daughters best friend.  As we walk her through this time I am constantly made aware of the powerful impact this relationship had on our daughter and our family.  The value of friendship, shared dreams, laughter, tears and adventure is brought to the forefront of my thoughts each day.  Relationships Matter.  

           2008 saw the advent of our family’s “Bloodworth Reunion”.  In July our home was filled with relatives young and old.  Someof whom we’ve kept close with over the years, some new to our growing clan, and some we seldom see due to careers and long distances.   Yet,  in less than one day together the value of family relationships was evident.  There were stories to tell, burdens to share and milestones to celebrate.  I consider myself  blessed to have such a treasure trove of wildly diverse, loving and loyal family members.  Relationships Matter.

          The summer of 2008 also brought about Tuesdays at Teri’s. (The event this blog gets its name from)  At the prompting of a very wise, spirit filled Sunday School class member, I welcomed ladies to our home each Tuesday from 10 to 2 for  poolside fun and fellowship.   This casual gathering of young wives and mothers made a significant impact on my life.  Spending time with these precious ladies and their children afforded me a chance to know them better and rekindle my comfort level with little ones.  (This would come in handy later in the year when I traveled with my sister-in -law to receive her adopted son from Vietnam) …the biggest impact came from simply watching them grow relationships.  As they provided counsel, encouragement and mentoring for one  another, it became clear that while the pool may have been refreshing on hot summer days, the real refreshment those days brought was the sweet relief found in relationships.  Relationships Matter.

          I have many relationships in my life that matter, but none more impactful than my relationship with God through His son Jesus Christ.  It is this relationship which grants me unconditional love,grace and forgiveness.  Because of  friends, family and yes, even the dry cleaning lady, I have known the thrill of being thought of, cared for, encouraged and remembered.  I would like to do the same for others in 2009.  Everyone should experience the feelings my dry cleaner bestows upon me…simply by being known…Relationships Matter.

          I like to fish…hook, bait and bobber.  I’m not a “cast and crank” person…I’m a “bobber watcher”. Yes, there is nothing better than sitting quietly and watching for any slight movement of your bobber in the water, alerting you to a potential catch. I must admit, I even enjoy the “false alarms” of a tugging wave or nibbling bait fish. Just sitting on a water’s edge and experiencing hope is a thrill. I had forgotten about this simple joy in life until a recent boating trip. As friends and I sat on the dock we decided to drop in a fishing line, baited with hot dog chunks, just to play with the crabs as they stole the bait and scurried away. To our amazement, and that of anyone else, we actually caught a fish! Immediately memories of fishing off defunct bridges and sea shores with my parents came flooding back and, pardon the pun, I was hooked. My renewed interest was further fueled when I landed a HUGE catfish on another boating day. So…to my delight, Santa brought me fishing gear and tackle this year! I am almost giddy with anticipation of potential fishing success…so much so that when the house was quiet and no one else home I snuck off to a local dock to test out my new toys. Yes, it was quite cold Monday afternoon, but the sun was shining and there was ample radiant heat to make you toasty in between gusts of wind.   Fellow fishermen passed by the dock on their bass boat and inquired what I was fishing for…note to self, when asked this question in the future…lie.  Apparently it is not cool to announce proudly you are after catfish when one is fishing on the Potomac.   Alas, there would be no catfish catching victories this day…but that is okay.  I had  a quiet, relaxing time in the sun and watching my bobber.

          As I sat on the dock and considered my bobber watching delight I thought of Simeon. I know, I know…you were thinking of him too right? Some of you may recall in the telling of Christmas events that there was a man in Jerusalem whom the Bible calls “righteous and devout”. Luke 2:21-32 tells us that Simeon had been told by the Hoy Spirit  that he would not die until he had seen the savior of Isreal(the Lord’s Christ). Scriptures tell us he was “waitng”…talk about “bobber watching”. Simeon must have eyed each young man who came to the temple as the potential “one”…just as I eye each bob of my bobber as a signal. Did he stare down temple visitors in a way that made them uneasy in his desire to not “miss” the savior? For bobber watchers like me knowing the difference between a fish and an errant wave or crab comes from experiencing a fish on your line and learning how it feels. How did Simeon know when he saw Jesus that it was him? Verse 27 tells us he was moved by the Spirit and recall he was known as a “righteous and devout” man. Simeon watched and waited…but he also made sure he stayed connected/devoted to God. I think that is why he did not miss the Christ child’s arrival. If Christ came today, would I recognize him? Do I eagerly wait on the hand of God and look for His working in my life with the same intensity and joy with which I watched the bobber at the end of my line? Hmmmm….I hope in 2009 we all find it easier to wait on God, see Him in our world, and seek Him with the anticipation  and hope of a bobber watching fisherman.