Atlantic Avenue Adventure

It was one of those kitschy shops you find in all beach towns—the kind stocked with souvenir t-shirts and boogie boards, flipflops and sunscreen. In need of a hat to shade my face from ceaseless vacation sunshine, my husband Darrell and I headed toward the place on our morning walk. We hadn’t yet had breakfast, so it was questionable whether the emporium would even be open at that hour. The sign in the window said “closed,” but the storefront’s sliding glass panes had been pushed aside. We could see a few people milling around while a hard-working woman staffed the register.

Calling from the outside of the building to the inside, Darrell inquired cheerfully, “Are you open already? Your sign says you’re not.”

She answered, “Customers come. I open. Sign no matter.” She waved us in.

Pretty quickly, I located what I had come for, and she rang up the purchase. Then she said, “You stay here. Watch shop for me.” And then she vanished!

Darrell and I looked at each other, perplexed. I asked him, “Did she just leave us in charge?”

He nodded. “I think so.”

Half a block away, the ocean surged upon the shore. Likewise, a wave of responsibility washed over us. In an unexpected moment, we had gone from being carefree passers-by to conscientious caretakers of someone else’s livelihood! I sort of positioned myself where I could keep an eye on the register, Darrell sort of positioned himself where he could keep an eye on the door, and both of us sort of began taking mental inventory of beach towels, pool toys, and boxed saltwater taffy.

For eleven minutes, we patrolled and protected, not knowing exactly what was going on. When the shop owner returned, she explained in heavily accented, non-standard English that when she had arrived at work, customers had already been waiting to get in. Not wanting to miss the opportunity for a sale, she had parked her vehicle in the loading zone while she unlocked the establishment. But then she had to move it.

Flabbergasted, we pointed out that we might have taken advantage of the situation. We might have helped ourselves to her wares. We might have cleaned her out. She answered back confidently, “You have good eyes. If you had bad eyes, I not let you in store. I say, ‘Go away.’”

So, there you have it. My husband and I are apparently trustworthy in the opinion of a total stranger. (I hope this bears out among the people who actually do know us!) What a curious episode. And what I find especially interesting is the depth of my accountability in this situation. I was not an employee, not a friend, not a concerned member of the neighborhood watch, and yet, I felt utterly obliged to do what I was asked to do. I felt compelled to be responsible. Why is that?

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus… (Philippians 2: 1-5)

I hope that I might always be so influenced by the mind of Christ Jesus that I would look to the interests of others in the little things and the big ones. I hope I never tire of the surprises life puts in my path, and the opportunity to let goodness unfold.

Sometimes, as they say, life is a beach. Sometimes it’s a beach mercantile. Sometimes it’s a great anecdote. Sometimes it’s its own parable.

Your Temporary Purveyor of Boardwalk Mementos,

Pastor Chris

++++++++++

When weather permits, we’ll have outdoor speakers set up in the church parking lot. If you bring along a lawn chair, you’ll be able to sit outside your vehicle and listen to the worship service. Please wear a mask and maintain a safe distance from those who live outside of your bubble.

Everyone is welcome! Whether you’ve become a “regular” at these gatherings, or you’re thinking about dropping by for the very first time, please use the Zoom link below, or join by phone if you do not use a device with a screen.

To join by computer, tablet or smart phone, please go to

https://zoom.us/j/99831347702

To join by phone (no video), dial:

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 998 3134 7702  

We offer Zoom Prayers on Sunday evenings at 6:30. We come together to share simply in intercessory prayer on behalf of our congregation, community, and world. We usually conclude by 7:00 p.m. All are welcome! 

To join by computer, tablet, or smart phone, please go to

https://zoom.us/j/91961743369

To join by phone (no video), dial:

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 919 6174 3369