avatarJoe Luca

Summary

A young boy's simple act of kindness towards an old woman in the park leads to a profound realization for both of them that God's presence can be found in human connections and acts of caring.

Abstract

The story "Lunch with God" recounts a young boy's journey to meet God, which unexpectedly leads to a meaningful encounter with an old woman in a park. The boy shares his snacks with her, and they spend the afternoon in companionable silence, smiling and enjoying each other's company. The boy believes he has had lunch with God, impressed by the woman's beautiful smile, while the woman, in turn, is equally touched by the boy's innocent companionship, considering it a divine encounter. The narrative emphasizes the transformative power of small acts of kindness, such as sharing, smiling, and hugging, suggesting that such gestures can have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver. It concludes by reminding readers to value every person who comes into their lives, as each interaction carries the potential to change lives for the better.

Opinions

  • The story conveys that divine experiences can be found in everyday interactions and simple acts of kindness.
  • It suggests that the joy of giving is amplified when the recipient expresses gratitude, as seen in the boy's desire to see the old woman's smile again.
  • The narrative implies that age is no barrier to forming meaningful connections, as evidenced by the bond formed between the young boy and the old woman.
  • It highlights the underestimated value of non-verbal communication, such as smiles and hugs, in creating deep and lasting impressions.
  • The story posits that our perceptions of God can be surprisingly human and that we can encounter the divine in each other.
  • It emphasizes the importance of being present and engaged in the moment, as the boy's decision to stay and share with the woman enriched both their lives.
  • The conclusion encourages a philosophy of embracing all people, regardless of the duration of their presence in our lives, acknowledging that every interaction holds significance.

Lunch with God

A little story from a friend…

Photo by Vitto Sommella on Unsplash

One day, a little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it would be a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six pack of Root Beer and started off on his journey. When he had gone about three blocks from his home, he saw an old woman sitting alone in a park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer as well. Again, she graced him with a smile.

The boy was delighted. They sat there all afternoon together eating and smiling, but never saying a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. He was rewarded with her biggest smile ever. When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?”

He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!” Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, “Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?”

She replied “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.”

Before her son responded, she added “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.” Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

Embrace all equally!

Hope you enjoy.

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