I suppose it is pretty common for folks to take a potty break between Sunday school and worship. My informal research these past years had led me to conclude that folks who are younger and those a bit older often feel the need to take a pause for the cause. Parents dragging unwilling children and folks my age make a quick pit stop on the way to an hour and place where everyone notices when you get up and leave.
This particular Sunday was no exception. In this church, the men’s and women’s facilities were adjacent to each other with a water fountain between them. Think about it. Does that make sense?
As was the custom, ladies filed into their quarters and young boys into theirs. On this particular Sunday a very dignified lady exited the restroom. She wore a designer dress with shoes and accessories to match. She tossed her shawl of silk around her neck as she bent over to take a lady-like sip from the water cooler, pausing for a bit of refreshment. Her statuesque beauty was accented by her graceful descent to take a tasteful sip. A vision of beauty, elegance, grace and money all rolled up into one complete package.
About the time she dipped her head to take a sip, a boy that looked like his mother had dressed him for church bolted out of the bathroom. He looked to be about 4 years old with a blond mop cut in a pageboy style and bow tie slightly askew. Everything about him but his choice of attire screamed, “ALL BOY.” The sound of the door slamming against the wall upon his exit saw his mother rolling her eyes from down the hall and made the rest of us look to the origin of the sound. He flashed from the doorway and stopped to get a drink while his mother loudly said, "Don’t get your shirt wet!” If he did not get folks' attention, she did.
As if on cue, the boy and seemingly everyone else in the crowded hallway saw IT at the same time. He had the best view. From his vantage point while waiting in line he could see the white train the cascaded behind the graceful lady. He said, "LOOK!” About this time, she cast a scowl in his direction that said, “Children should not be seen or heard,” and walked away to meet her husband, who was down the corridor about 20 feet away.
Suddenly the boy was no longer thirsty. He proceeded to chase the while train that flowed behind her as she strode magnificently down the hallway. Looking like a clumsy man doing the Texas two step, he would stomp at it like he was trying to kill a bug, hopping behind her trying to keep pace. Everyone stood in shock and no one said a thing while holding back their laughter.
She walked on past her husband, who then noticed what had attracted the boy’s amusement. He said nothing as his lips formed a tight smile to avoid laughter.
The lady reached the end of the hallway and turned to give “the look” to her husband, who nodded complicity, and when she did a Good Samaritan woman reached down and removed the train of while cellulose. With the other hand she look a hand of her young son and the lady took her husband’s arm and all entered together to worship.
I have never lost the image of that few seconds. Now for an ironic twist?! The text that Sunday was Luke 14: 7-11. Now that is funny!
Rob Rollins lives in Wadesboro.
Post a Comment
