Who, Me?

It was a hot August morning, only 8 a.m. and the temperature had already flirted with 90 degrees. The walk had been good but it was time for a breather and there was a park bench just ahead. But turning the corner, he noticed that someone had found the resting spot and was claiming most of it, a middle-aged man wearing work clothes, a floppy hat and carrying one of those loud grass-trimming gadgets. When he saw the walker approaching, the seated man moved his equipment aside and made room on the bench. Conversation was easy and not long into the time-out, the landscape worker commented: “I think I’ve seen you before. Yeah, your picture was in the newspaper the other day. You just retired from that big church over on Pacific Avenue. That was you, right?” “Yes,” the walker replied. “I’m going to try retirement and see what happens.” “I used to belong to that church years ago,” the worker added. “I gave up on it, or it gave up on me, but I haven’t been through those doors in 15 years. I made a deal with God: I’ll take care of this park and you take care of the church. I quit being religious. Sorry if that offends you. What do you think of that?”

There was a quiet moment and then the retired priest said: “Well, you’ve clearly kept your end of the bargain. This park looks great! The flowers along the base of that wall are beautiful and spaced so perfectly, and the water feature behind us is always so clean and engaging. Green grass, neatly trimmed trees, new resting benches here and there…you have connected everything, brought it all together. I hope God has done an equally good job with the church. Sometimes I wonder.”

A moment later, when the walker got up to continue his exercise, he looked back at the workman and made one parting comment. “People who love beauty, who connect things and create something new are rather special. And when those people do their tasks for the benefit of others, well, they are involved in sacred work. Like you.” “Who, me?” was the reply as the landscaper stood up. “Sacred?”

“Keep up the good work,” the priest said as he walked away. “Your work is holy, appreciated and you bless more people than you realize.” The two men walked away in opposite directions. Neither could see the smile on the other’s face.