Basket Case

This was another busy weekend in our little part of the world.  We started it off with date night on Friday.  Hubby and I knew it was going to be a whirlwind on Saturday and Sunday so we wisely took some time for ourselves.  It was a somewhat selfish act, because we were supposed to be at book club instead.  We have no regrets!

There was a visiting church minister who came to our area for meetings, worship, and classes this weekend.  He also happens to be a friend of ours.  We don't see each other often because he lives in Missouri, and travels extensively in the southern US and in the Carribean.  It was really nice to see him and catch up.  He not only provided council and ministry to us on Saturday, but also spoke to our congregation on Sunday morning.  Both days he told us of a small community he visits in his travels.  (We heard both days because we attended on Saturday.  Most people did not.)

This community is very poor.  Poor seems such an inadequate word.....we're talking abject poverty. There is approximately 80% unemployment.  (Humbling, isn't it?!)  The church is helping these people help themselves.  There are people in this place who are master basket weavers, so that is what they do for income - limited as it is.  Now, you just have to know that my "basket radar" went up a notch when hearing the story!  A way to help people, and get a cool basket at the same time!  That is the perfect storm!!

I just couldn't take it any longer.  After church on Sunday I asked....."Where's MY basket?"  He snickered quietly and said, "I may have one in the trunk of my car. Do you want me to look?"  Well.......YEAH!!

He did have one in his trunk!  It came with an apology.  (An apology?)  Seems that this basket needed a loving home because it is a little off kilter.  It just isn't perfect.  He can bring one back on his next trip that is better.  I know.....you're all thinking that I'm a little off kilter too....you would be correct.  You love me anyway.

Here's the thing.......I love the basket anyway too.  It has a new home on my kitchen table.  It not only is a little off kilter, it has little pokey things because the weaver didn't cut the reeds off and tuck them in.  (I can fix that if I choose too.  I just haven't made that decision yet.)  I am fairly certain that this basket wasn't askew from it's humble beginnings.  I'm sure it was perfect.  It was made by a master.  It's the way it is now because of the journey it has taken.  That's why I love it.  I relate!  I was made by a Master too.  I'm a little off kilter from my journey (and I can be pokey at times too.)  I am loved anyway.  It is the Master AND the journey that makes us beautiful!

Gratitude for:
- Catching up with friends.
- The journey which makes us all unique, yet beautiful!
- Living comfortably - a place where I often forget about so much of the poverty in the world, and my ever   present need to be grateful.