I found Saturday blessings in a cup today.
When I was a young boy, Saturday blessings happened every week. That’s because it was the first day of the weekend away from prison…I mean…school. I don’t know about you, but there was something special about Saturdays. They were filled with endless possibilities and imagination. And once I was old enough to ride my big-boy bike, it felt like the sky was the limit. Then, more time passed, and school days were over, and Saturdays began to blur into the week.
For most of my adult life I’ve had to work on Saturdays. First, I had a job in a lumber yard in a small town in Kansas, and they were open for a half day each Saturday. So, I worked from 7:30 in the morning till 12:30. Then, I learned carpentry in Houston, Texas…and there were days I’d contract projects and work six days a week to finish faster. After a little time wielding a hammer and saw, my brother and I began to get regular bookings as a musical duo. That was awesome! Actually getting paid to play and sing. And I worked most every Saturday for the next 25 years.
So…the carefree Saturday blessings faded during those years.
In recent years, it’s been more of a mixture…many times working on Saturdays, and occasionally having the day free. Today was more on the carefree side. At least for the first half. My wife and I were invited, by our friend (I’ll call her Miss K) to join her for lunch at a restaurant with authentic Mideast cuisine (translate: straight out of Jerusalem). I won’t go through all the food and drink descriptions because this isn’t a restaurant review. But I had a sandwich called the Beefofel (pronounced beef-uh-fuel) and some Turkish coffee. Both were extremely high on the Yum Scale.
Our time together extended past the restaurant because we all decided to carry on with the get-together in a local Christian coffeeshop. We had Americanos and Baklava (to sort of keep the Mideast them going) and some nice, laid back conversations about current events. No one seemed in a hurry or too busy. Now, that’s a blessing.
What I’d like to know is…why does everyone feel the urgent need to power through so many Saturdays (and the rest of the week, too) without taking time to sit still and talk…really talk…with family and friends? What amount of money or acquisition of “things” could be more important than building and nurturing relationships? Are you one of those? Do you think Saturday blessings are a matter of making that sale? Or that next big deal? Or that awesome purchase?
Here’s a rhyme I wrote about this day of the week sometime ago…
Saturday Gladder Day
Throw the gloomy out today and just be glad today.
Saturday’s the very best day that we’ve had today.
You could choose to have a frown and make a sadder day
Or set free your smile and have a gladder Saturday.
As for me, I’m thankful there’s a shiny sun today
Even if I find out I’m the only one today.
All my needs are served up on a silver platter day
And that’s how I know I’ll have a gladder Saturday.
© 2013 Tony Funderburk
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