Apple Pie

I watched him struggle to walk all the way around that horseshoe of stations that we call a grocery line. It was clear that he was having a hard time getting around. He had a teenager as his host. That boy probably hadn’t moved that slow since the last time he walked away from his girlfriend and turned in the direction of Algebra. 

You can’t help but feel for the elderly. Especially the ones that are struggling to make ends meet. It makes me think about Moses leading all those people out of Egypt. Can you imagine what it was like wandering through the wilderness at the age of some of the Israelites? 

Back to Harvest. I had my eyes on him all the way around the corner. And as I watched him all kinds of thoughts are going through my head. What’s it like to be him everyday? I wonder if he lives on his own? Kids? Grandkids? I wonder if they come see him? I wonder what brings him joy?

At this point, I have created a pretty sad profile for my soon to be friend. I need to reach out. Maybe I can offer him some joy. I stop him as he prepares to walk down the aisle of bread and pastries that Publix so generously donates to us every week. We have had to turn down Publix pickups. They offer us more than we can take. That organization is one of the most giving organizations I have ever seen. And now you know why one is popping up on every corner.

I introduce myself to my friend. He returns the favor. He smiles real nice and says, “I really appreciate you guys doing this.” 

“Can’t take credit for what God does.” I reply. He kindly passes on the bread, and then turns his eye toward the sweets. I can tell that he can barely make out what he is looking at as he steps closer and closer to the table. One of our volunteers leans forward and asks, “Anything in particular you looking for?” 

“I love pie!”

“I think we are all out of pies,” she says in a pretty loud voice. I guess she thought he couldn’t hear. And then from behind another voice replies, “There is one more pie in the fridge. I think it’s the last dessert we have.” 

A grin crawls over his face. “Apple, I hope.” 

At this point, I know all too well. I don’t even have to look. She walks to the fridge, opens the door, and pulls out one of the best looking apple pies Publix has ever made. He looks me in the eye, still holding that grin, and says, “That is going to make my weekend.” 

And that is why it’s there. That pie had his name on it from the time the crust was put together. And that moment was monumental for me and all those around that were able to share in it. For a man that needed a message in a moment, he received it...through a $5.00 apple pie. And your skeptic voice inside may look at it and say, “Coincidence.” 

And that is fine. But I would tell you, we have seen way too many coincidences to not know they are orchestrated by a Father who loves us and longs for us to know...even through messages as simple as apple pie.