Just A Passing Acquaintance

American poet Edgar Guest tells a beautiful, warm story of a neighbor, Jim Potter, the town druggist - - a casual acquaintance with whom he exchanged greetings.

When Guest’s first born child died, he was overcome with grief. Several days later Guest went to the drug store, and Jim Potter motioned for him to come behind the counter. "Eddie," he said, "I really can't express to you the great sympathy that I have for you at this time. All I can say is that I am terribly sorry. If you need me to do anything, you can count on me."

Recalling that encounter many years later, Edgar Guest wrote: "Just a person across the way – a passing acquaintance. Jim Potter may have long since forgotten that moment when he extended his hand to me in sympathy, but I shall never forget it – never in all my life. To me it stands out like the silhouette of a lonely tree against a crimson sunset."

This poignant story makes me pause, and look back over my life. I remember all the sick, lonely, heartbroken, forgotten people I have met through the years, and I wonder, Have I always stopped to listen to their heartache, to pray with them, to show genuine compassion, to show them I truly care?

When my life here on earth is ended, I wonder if people can say about me, “When I was sick, she came to me. When I needed help, she was there. When my heart was breaking, she prayed for me. When I was lonely, she cared.”

If that can be said of me, then my 80+ years on this earth will not have been wasted, my life would have been worthwhile.

Blessings,

Willie L. Jordan

(Mrs. Fred Jordan)