helen was disappointed

today at mass, the announcement: *if you are a lector, altar server or extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, your march schedules are in the sacristy. please be sure to pick them up after mass.*

i dutifully go and stand in line behind the rush of folks after 8:00 service. i am really quiet because i am in quiet mode, i am in grief, i am being nice to myself (even after the disappointment suffered at the hands of the weight watcher weigh-in lady, because after all, it was her fault that i gained 3.4 pounds isn't it?) and am not in a hurry to get my envelopes. helen was, though, because she just began her nursing home visitations and i suppose was ready to serve at mass.

i sensed her frustration when she was going through the envelopes because hers was not in the pile. i assisted her and found that she was correct. she said "wow, two months in a row, none with my name! i called and told dave, but i don't know what happened!" i said "helen, i would call him back - like everyone else, i am sure he has a lot going on and it was simply an oversight...plus with the Easter services coming up, i am sure they will be able to use you during Holy Week..."

i got into my car and before i looked at the list, thought i should have opened it in front of her to show her maybe she had been assigned to serve, but that her envelope wasn't in the pile. am i glad i didn't --- her name hadn't even made the list and at that moment, my heart went out to her. she is excited about being an extraordinary minister, i understand her disappointment in not being on the schedule, in being forgotten. she has a servant's heart but is being overlooked.

that sucks for her. nobody wants to be overlooked.

this object lesson being provided to you by the humble and contrite heart of your concerned blog hostess, m2.