Exploring Peace with Whitney R. Simpson
  • Home
  • About
    • About Whitney >
      • Whitney's Bio
    • Client Consent Form
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Giving Back
  • Services
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Yoga & Meditation
    • Energy Work
    • Retreats
    • Event Request
    • Freelance Writing
  • Community
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Whitney's Books

Almond Jim

12/11/2012

 
Picture
A friend of mine at Gallatin CARES who walks all over town - literally - is one of the most joyful people I know.  He is also one of the most faithful members of our weekly Wednesday Bible Study and shows up no matter the weather, on foot.   

I will also admit, he is the kind of friend that has had to grow on me.  At first, I wasn't so sure how to respond to him.  My friend, we will call him Jim, is full of excitement and praise - loud praise.  The first few times I delivered the message at our Sunday service, I got multiple "Amens" and "Uh-huhs".  I wasn't sure if he genuinely liked what I was saying or if he just liked that I was quick to get to my point and not very long-winded!  

Jim will often interrupt me when I am leading Bible Study each week to be sure I don't miss any points.  He also repeats much of what I say either because he wanted to make sure he understood or because he couldn't hear me the first time.  Sometimes I have to kindly and clearly ask Jim to simply sit down and be quiet.  Jim will give me a good hearty "Hello" and "How are you doing?" the moment he catches my eye, every time he sees me (or anyone in his path).  Let's be honest, Jim, may not have been the most likely choice for a friend.  The fact that he has daughters older than me is just one of the many differences in our lives.  Jim and I have one thing in common, we both want to grow in our faith and sometimes that can be uncomfortable.

The week we practiced silence as a spiritual discipline in Bible Study was especially challenging for Jim.  However, he practiced.  Jim was the only member of our Bible Study to report back to me that he practiced his silence every single night that week.  He did also follow up with how hard it was to practice silence (that got a good honest giggle from the other friends hearing his silence update).  Jim wants to be in on the action.  He wants to be included and part of a community.  Jim wants to learn.  Jim wants to give back.  

Recently, Jim picked up his bag that he carries all over town and began digging to the bottom.  He told me he had something special for me and I was not sure what he was going to pull out of that bag.  It reminded me briefly of an episode of "Let's Make a Deal", but not being sure what he was digging for, I was a bit hesitant to reach out and receive.  Jim pulled out a tiny container of Almond Joy coffee creamer (the kind you find at a gas station coffee bar). He held it up to me with a giant smile on his face and a giggle in his voice.  He told me he wanted me to have this highly coveted flavor of creamer and asked if I drank coffee.  I enthusiastically replied yes (which is a slight stretch of the truth since the closest I get to coffee is a Decaf Starbucks Via in my favorite Chocolate Mocha Smoothie).  I said yes because I couldn't not receive this gift of joy - Almond Joy.  

Christmas giving can be so routine.  It can be stressful.    Jim has taught me a lot.  He has reminded me of the story of the widow's mite.  He has taught me it is not about what I give, but how I give.  I hope I can give this season with an ounce of the joy that Jim gives.  

Mostly, I think that my unlikely friend, "Almond Jim", has taught me to receive.  He has taught me it is indeed possible to receive in both the silence and the noise this Advent season.  

May you find joy this Christmas!



Comments are closed.

      How about a Monthly Dose of Soul Care?

    Subscribe

    Picture

    Whitney R. Simpson

    author  
    deaconess
    ​​retreat leader
    spiritual director

    yoga & meditation teacher



    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture



    Click to connect:

    Categories

    All
    Advent
    Anxiety
    Aromatherapy
    Beads
    Body
    Book
    Breath
    Centering Prayer
    Christmas
    Community
    Contemplation
    Devotional
    Discernment
    Disciplines
    Downloads
    Dreams
    Embodiment
    Energy Work
    Equality
    Essential Oils
    Everbloom
    Family
    Favorite Things
    Fear
    Food
    Giveaway
    Giving Back
    Guest Post
    Healing
    Inspiration
    Journaling
    Justice
    Kombucha
    Labyrinth
    Lectio Divina
    Lent
    Life
    Listen
    Love
    Meditation
    Mindfulness
    Ministry
    Mission
    Music
    Mystics
    Neighbors
    Older Adults
    Peace Seekers
    Podcast
    Poem
    Poetry
    Prayer
    Prayer Of Examen
    Quotes
    Relaxation
    Rest
    Retreat
    Rule Of Life
    Sabbath
    Sacred Ordinary Days
    Scipture
    Scripture
    Silence
    Simplicity
    Small Groups
    Solitude
    Soul Care
    Spiritual Direction
    Spiritual Formation
    Spiritual Friends
    Trafficking
    Upper Room
    Walking Meditation
    Wild Goose
    Women
    Yoga
    Yoga Nidra


    ​archives

    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    April 2011
    January 2011
    October 2010
    August 2010
    May 2010
    March 2010
    January 2010


    Content @ 2010-2023 
    Whitney R. Simpson

    Exploring Peace Ministries, LLC

Join our Community
Schedule Soul Care
Listen to the Podcast
Read the Blog
​Contact Whitney
© 2022, Exploring Peace Ministries, LLC
Picture
Photo used under Creative Commons from lululemon athletica
  • Home
  • About
    • About Whitney >
      • Whitney's Bio
    • Client Consent Form
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Giving Back
  • Services
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Yoga & Meditation
    • Energy Work
    • Retreats
    • Event Request
    • Freelance Writing
  • Community
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Whitney's Books