A Cobbler's Gift...

My one pair of sandals needed to be re-soled. I wear my sandals almost every day, except in harshest winter. So, having the sandals repaired, I decided, was a necessity. Off I went! The cobbler's shop is built into the rock of a hill. There was a thin plume of white smoke rising from the chimney. Inside, the cobbler was hard at work amidst piles of shoes. The piles were so high they seemed to engulf the humble cobbler. But, he was in there. I couldn't see him, but I could hear him. Eventually, my eyes were able to discern his form from that of the shoes. "Hello. Would it be possible to repair my sandals?" I asked. "Yes." He said. "Come back next Wednesday." And, that was all he said. He immediately went back to work.

I stepped outside and felt the cold. It had just snowed last night, in May! The snow had melted by early morning. But, the cold remained. When I awoke at daybreak, I heard God's Voice. He promised he would send a visitor today. I believed that Voice. I believed a visitor would indeed come, though I knew not when or in what form. Outside the cobbler's, a man from my house of worship greeted me. This was not just any man. He was a well-to-do, well-respected, well-established pillar of the community.

I remember the day this man and I had first met. For some reason, people confide in me. Perhaps, they feel safe in speaking to a stranger? He told me about his son who had died under tragic circumstances. I listened to him outside the post office as he shared his father's grief. I had lost my father, in a very real sense. So, at that moment, I assumed God had brought this man and I together. Perhaps, he and I would be family, I thought at the time. But, that was not to be. Mutual misunderstandings, feelings of anger and pride got in the way. This man and I never spoke in the same way again for almost nine years.

Dearest reader, you can imagine my surprise then, when outside a cobbler's shop, this man and I should meet again! We'll call this man, Adronicus. I've always admired the sound and strength of that name. Adronicus surprised me all the more when he told me he had had a debilitating stroke. He had been in the hospital, and was now in physical therapy. His arm and hand no longer had the same mobility. I stood there ashamed! God used this moment as a spiritual lesson. I had held on to anger at this man. Yes, I confess this to you. I was at fault. A very wise old woman once told me that when we hold on to anger, it is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die from it. My anger only hurt me. Adronicus had forgotten any past misunderstandings long ago. And, for the last two years, he had been living in the painful aftermath of his stroke. My anger had kept me from being a true friend. Adronicus forgave me. In fact, he said, "I had never been angry at you. How could anyone not like you? I can't imagine such a thing because you are so gentle." He said this to me?! I asked him to forgive me once again. I forgave him for past perceived hurts.

He and I walked to his home together arm in arm. I thought nothing of holding his arm. I felt only love for Adronicus. It felt natural to hold his arm, after all, he was recovering from a severe stroke. But, Adronicus didn't really need my support. He was in better physical shape than I! Adronicus was strong and muscular, and had already walked two miles! Perhaps, he was humoring me by allowing me to support his arm? He was allowing me the gift of feeling useful. There may have been a few people who snickered at the sight of two adult men walking arm in arm. But, I felt no shame in my public display of affection. If God had come to visit you, no matter the guise, would you not have offered your arm? And, more importantly, after receiving the gift of Mercy and Love, would you not have allowed God to escort you safely home?