The Hallway Blessing

So yesterday I went to work in the afternoon because I was going to be working with the Chicago Temple Gospel Choir in the evening (they’re going to be singing on The Red Book Sessions).

So I head out of my apartment, which is always a hassle because apartments have many elevators, stairs, doors and obstacles in your way and I’m always carrying around massive amounts of Guitars, amps, computers, books, pads of paper, cans of diet pop and music.

So I get to the last glass door and I see this elderly couple with a cart loaded up with groceries, struggling to find their keys.

So I put down my guitar and open the door for them.

So the old woman sees my Salvation Army hat and smiles at me.

So she whispers to her husband, “John, that nice young man works for The Salvation Army.”

So John grumbles to himself as he tries to get his groceries through the door.

So she nudges him again and he turns and smiles at me.

So she addresses me and says, “Do you work for The Salvation Army?”

So I say, “Yes, I do.”

So she says, “You must live in apartment 316 then.”

So I looked at her, a bit confused, and say, “Yes, I do. How did you know that?”

So she says, “We live right below you. We hear you sing your Salvation Army songs all the time.”

So I got a little embarrassed and said, “Sorry about that, sometimes I get a bit carried away.”

So she says, “That’s quite alright, I think it’s lovely. You must hear us plunk around on the old piano from time to time?”

So I say, “Why yes I do. I was wondering who played piano in the building.”

So then I introduce myself, “My name is Eric.”

So she says, “My name is Shirley and his name is John.”

So John grunts again.

I would have never received that blessing if I wasn’t wearing my Salvation Army hat and if I didn’t praise like no one could hear me.

May God continue to use cute little encounters to show His love to everyone.