Stranger in the Building

Mary and Martha were at it again, watering plants and moping up the hall after a gathering on Sunday in which a buffet was prepared in honor of a parishioner who had gone to his rest last year.

The tablecloths needed to be shaken and washed so Martha and Mary decided to go to lunch, taking a break from the unfinished work. While we took nourishment, someone in the area was also looking for the same.

Upon entering the church hall, Martha encountered the stranger, who with dashing eyes glared back at her having been caught off guard. It seems entrance was made through an open window, one that had been previously opened as Mary, as she is otherwise called, can not reach to close even with the help of a broom handle.

They locked eyes. A frightening moment as she was sure to be charged. She being of small stature, had just purchased a new floor mop to wet wash the floor. The new twist type that works well in a pail. (It saves her from sticking her hands in the bucket of hot water). So there she was at the door having just entered with a stick (handle) in her hands.

Then, complete silence, no one was around except for the intruder. The group of two who frequently tidy up, were separated and Martha stood alone to encounter the stranger.

Suddenly, the decision and was made, as the stranger dashed back toward the window, and with a significant effort managed to squeeze through the window entrance. The wooden handle would not be used to serve her in defense today, and the only job it would have would be to clean up the floor. Luckily, the windows were closed and the trash was taken to the dumpster, by her husband, John.

It was not a time to dig for her cell phone to take a picture, (hind sight, that would have been nice). It was not a moment for panic but one for composure. She had her handle, and she was bigger, (words of wisdom told to her grandchild many times before). But once again, someone was looking over her that was bigger than both of them.

We all have something that is bigger than us at times and at times, we get scared. It is a time to remember that we are really never alone when we called upon the name of Lord. As in many previous times, she was protected and felt secure.

Martha or is it Mary, will always wonder if this was in fact, a bobcat.