Today I actually did a box run. Those of you who have been reading this blog the whole 5+ years, I am sure will recall the unforgettably well written (;-}) post I did back in March of 2005 on making the first box run when I received the news that I would be moving into the superintendency. Then, I moved the household. This year, praise the Lord and the bishop, I will not. I am able to continue living in my condo.
The box run today was only for liquor boxes into which books fit so nicely. I need them to pack my office. The last time I was in a liquor store was back in the spring of 05 when I was collecting boxes for the last move. Today, I hit the jackpot when I stopped by Berbiglia on the Southwest Trafficway extension at 45th street. There were lots of boxes, and the young guy working gave me as many as I could fit in the Prius. My camera ran out of juice or I would have a picture of them in the back of the car. Instead I took this photo from the Internet, but the boxes looked a lot like these. Barbara and Gary at the office came downstairs with a dolly that got them all upstairs.
The young man at the liquor store looked lonely when I came in. No other workers and definitely no other patrons than me, and I wasn't really a patron, just a scavenger of boxes. He was tall, and bearded and had great looking glasses. I introduced myself to him. His name is Chris. The reason I asked his name was twofold: 1) It is always a good idea when you find a generous box giver, to make friends with him so that he will continue to be so; and, 2) I like to know by name those with whom I interact. After we exchanged names, Chris became even more helpful, bringing the boxes out to the car with me, volunteering to take the "innards" out as I call them---the wine bottle dividers and such.
Twas only a simple encounter. But who knows, I may have been the only customer (or box scavenger) today that asked Chris's name. He was the only person I met today that I did not already know. For some reason, I hope to encounter this young man again. And maybe find out a bit more about him than his name. And not just because he is a soft-touch when it comes to boxes. There are times like today, when we all encounter someone, who stays in our minds, who God places in our minds and hearts. I don't know quite what reason there would be for me to go back into Berbiglia. But if Chris is in my mind and heart and God put him there, I imagine that the boxes might just run out, and the miracle of God's love exemplify itself instead of through grain that does not give out, nor in there being more than enough fish and bread to feed 5000, nor with fish that break the net of sadly befuddled disciples who see Jesus on the shore, This time, God's love might exemplify itself in not quite enough liquor boxes.
The box run today was only for liquor boxes into which books fit so nicely. I need them to pack my office. The last time I was in a liquor store was back in the spring of 05 when I was collecting boxes for the last move. Today, I hit the jackpot when I stopped by Berbiglia on the Southwest Trafficway extension at 45th street. There were lots of boxes, and the young guy working gave me as many as I could fit in the Prius. My camera ran out of juice or I would have a picture of them in the back of the car. Instead I took this photo from the Internet, but the boxes looked a lot like these. Barbara and Gary at the office came downstairs with a dolly that got them all upstairs.
The young man at the liquor store looked lonely when I came in. No other workers and definitely no other patrons than me, and I wasn't really a patron, just a scavenger of boxes. He was tall, and bearded and had great looking glasses. I introduced myself to him. His name is Chris. The reason I asked his name was twofold: 1) It is always a good idea when you find a generous box giver, to make friends with him so that he will continue to be so; and, 2) I like to know by name those with whom I interact. After we exchanged names, Chris became even more helpful, bringing the boxes out to the car with me, volunteering to take the "innards" out as I call them---the wine bottle dividers and such.
Twas only a simple encounter. But who knows, I may have been the only customer (or box scavenger) today that asked Chris's name. He was the only person I met today that I did not already know. For some reason, I hope to encounter this young man again. And maybe find out a bit more about him than his name. And not just because he is a soft-touch when it comes to boxes. There are times like today, when we all encounter someone, who stays in our minds, who God places in our minds and hearts. I don't know quite what reason there would be for me to go back into Berbiglia. But if Chris is in my mind and heart and God put him there, I imagine that the boxes might just run out, and the miracle of God's love exemplify itself instead of through grain that does not give out, nor in there being more than enough fish and bread to feed 5000, nor with fish that break the net of sadly befuddled disciples who see Jesus on the shore, This time, God's love might exemplify itself in not quite enough liquor boxes.
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