Ladies & gentlemen - God has left the building

That's right; God has left the building and gone into the world. I had an amazing experience with meeting God today. Bear with me as I try to explain it...

I really don't like my job, but I try to make do. There are days I meet people who are really cranky and want me to have completed their shopping before they even arrive. These are the people who cause me to chant, "God loves them, so I should try liking them." The most pastoral thing to think? No. Allows me to be patient with them? Yes.

Today was really different though. In the first hour, I overheard a woman talking to her daughter about a book. I inquired about it, and ended up having a talk about Adam and Eve and a book called "Brida" by Paulo Coelho. We proceeded to talk about the unity of male and female in the book of Genesis.

If this wasn't odd enough, the guy behind her in line asked me if he correctly that I study theology. This being Boston, a home for personalism, I tried to back out of a specific answer. I explained that I'm studying the intersection of faith and action. He apologized for asking and then went on to talk about how fascinated he is about religion. We talked about his Catholic upbringing and how he's so frustrated with the anger and violence in this world. I wish I could remember all we talked about, but I remember thinking, "this is what it's like to live out the Great Commission."

I have a general policy not to give money to people on the street near work. Mostly, my reason lies in that I see a number of people, who ask for money, come into the store to buy cigarettes. I don't feel I can contribute to something that slowly kills them - first, do no harm. However, I will ask if I can pick up a slice of pizza or a sandwich when I go to get my lunch. Today, the guy said he'd like a slice of pizza. God met me in the pizza parlor. I asked for two slices of cheese and if there was a discount for working in the square. (some places give them - some don't. It doesn't hurt to ask.) The chef decided that, if I promised to share with people at work, he'd give me a large pie for the price of a slice... and I also had to keep the transaction to myself. I agreed to the terms, and I was able to feed 4 people for the cost of a slice. The feeding of the 5000 came to mind.

As I was heading to the bus, and thinking about what I would do for dinner, a woman asked me for money. She wanted to buy some food for dinner. Keeping to my policy, I asked her where she would like to go to dinner. I've had people refuse my offer before, stating they'd rather have the money, and I thought she would do the same. I was surprised, and she was too, that we ended up having dinner together. We went 2 blocks to a burger joint where I had the steak and cheese (I am a Wisconsin girl!), and she had the fish and chips (being a good Boston gal). She talked to me about being on the streets, depression and fear. She said she had been going to church every day asking God for a little help. Then she asked me what I did. She thought I was a nurse - I simply said, "I'm a pastor." It felt so natural to say it. She started to cry and took my hand, and she offered a prayer to God. "God, thank you. I asked for help, and you sent me a pastor." I told her it was really me who felt honored. I didn't want to go back to my place and eat another meal alone, and I was so grateful to have had a meal with her.

It was in talking with her that I realized frustrations are anger at unfulfilled hopes. She wishes for a safe place to sleep while I grumble about the bed being too hard. She wonders how she'll find food while I grumble about ramen noodles for lunch. She wonders if she'll get the care she needs while I complain about the cost of health care. It seems so small when she talks to me. She helped me put it into perspective. I have people who love me and care about me. I have a roof over my head and food to eat every day. I have clothes to wear and don't have to worry about every passing glance. God bless Betty.

So yes, God has left the building and entered the world. I just need to unplug the iPod, look up from my feet, and answer a call from the margins. Perhaps, this is rethinking Church.