Although I was very tired this afternoon after getting home from work, I was also very restless. I was going to take a nap but that wasn’t in the plan, I guess, so I took my little Bible, stuffed my mobile phone in my pocket, and dislocated the house key from its metal cousins.
My usual haunt was occupied. I wasn’t expecting that, so I continued to wearily wander down the street, finally reaching my good friend S’s front yard. Happily, I discovered she has a lovely little porch. She had just planted a lot of little treasures so there was the sweet smell of earth, many potted expectations, and vines gently enclosing the metal bench. I hadn’t noticed all of these details before because I haven’t hijacked her front porch until now.
Her car is in front, as well as (I suspect) a housemate’s. The lights are on, the front door curtain is up (unusual), and occasionally I can hear voices exchanging. I decide not to bother anyone just yet (feeling solitary), and nestle into a corner of the porch where I can’t easily startle anyone. I am surprisingly comfy, and take in the scenes, smells, and the first few chapters of Galatians.
L comes home and I tell her no one knows I’m here, but she can announce it if she pleases. I am soon joined by my good friend S, and a plate of delicious just-out-of-the-oven chocolate cookies. While I get dusted with powdered sugar, and good company, the evening continues to fall. More friends come. More light and easy exchanges. A hug and I’m back wandering home.
I text if I can stop and see another friend. While waiting to hear from her, I stop under the lamp of a vacant parking lot near a local business–let the dusk wrap night around my shoulders–and finish the book of Galatians. Lots of car engines, occasional honking, and other peopled noises. I am in a cocoon of tiredness, yet with the edge taken off my loneliness. I am actually happy and refreshed.
I meander back up the street, taking in the beautiful lit homes… the stained-glass church window of Jesus holding a lamb and standing among the sheep… and gently holding out my hand to catch a flying lightening bug, who, a bit nonplussed, crawls up my fingers before launching himself back into the shadows.
I stare at the moon a long time.
“…but the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him…” The everlastings get repeated to the rhythm of my feet as I make the last turn toward home.
