Koinonia

Update: I got this sms from my wife in the afternoon: "Read all comments on yr article abt gladys n i wept". Thank you, friends, you have been very kind and encouraging.


We sat in the first row of the rear cluster of seats because the missus wanted an easy way to run out and puke if she needed to. This was our second time here since her nausea started 9 weeks ago.

It was communion today, the first Sunday of the month.

Next to us sat a lady, her short hair slightly white, and her strong, wiry frame like a tree that has stood against many winters. She was probably in her forties.

The ushers guided us to the aisles, to prepare us to take the bread and the wine from the helpers in front. This was our first time as the first group. The bread was placed into our outstretched hands, into the cup shape we made by placing one hand over the other. And then the cup-bearer walked by, and we dipped our bread into the wine, took it, and returned to our seat.

As the rest of congregation, more than a thousand in all, moved forward to take their bread and wine, the missus and I sat, singing along with the musicians and worship leader.

“Hi, I’m Gladys.”

We looked to the left, and it was the lady, smiling to us.

“What are your names?” she asked.

We introduced ourselves and shook her hand.

“I just wanted to bless you and say hi. Are you expecting?” she asked the missus, pointing to the really tiny bulge of her tummy. So observant this lady.

“Yes, I am,” the missus said, smiling despite the discomfort of her nausea.

“That’s wonderful!” Gladys said, “Is this your first?”

“No,” I said, “Our third.”

Gladys looked surprised.

“You are very brave,” she laughed, “but it is always good to have more when you are young. Children are a blessing. Are you happy?”

At that point, my wife later told me, she felt like saying, “Not really. I am filled with doubt and apprehension, and I worry if my third one will turn out with the same problems as my firstborn. I do not know what I will do if that were so.”

We looked at each other, and said, “Sometimes.”

"You should be happy! Children are a blessing! I waited ten years for my first one. I had to wait, because there were reasons. I finally had my first one when I was 38, and my second came at 40," said Gladys.

"So I just want to bless you, and wish you well. My two kids, they were here for the morning service. I am actually not supposed to be in this service, but I missed communion this morning, so I came just for this. See you, and God bless!"

Thank you Gladys, for your spontaneous communion with us. It was good to break bread with you. We needed to hear that.