Glad Gladys

I've been pondering gratitude & the goodness of God in the midst of hard places.

Eighteen years later & God is still using her example to encourage me. May it do the same for you.

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Glad Gladys

© 2007 by Lorie Codispoti

By nature I’m an escape artist. Whenever the negative emotions of a difficult circumstance start to peak I quickly scan the room for the nearest escape route.

I remember a particular rainy day during the Christmas season of 2000 that was exceptionally hard. The downward spiral of this gloomy day caused my emotional state to plummet rather quickly. So, I did what any self-respecting wife and mother under this kind of pressure would do; I grabbed the car keys, looked at my husband, John, and said, “Get me out of here!” He was more than happy to oblige since his day had been as equally taxing as mine.

We got in the car and headed out to our favorite little fast food restaurant. On the way out the door I grabbed the only cash reserve we had, the change jar (the jelly size that is - not the pickle size). It was our emergency money and this definitely constituted as an “emergency.” Finances were tighter than tight since starting the business, and on this particular day an important piece of expensive equipment had broken. John was debating whether or not to use the Christmas money his parents sent us to replace it. On the drive into town we discussed the situation and decided use the money.

As we stood in line at our favorite eatery I noticed a tiny elderly woman accompanied by a tall, middle-aged man standing in front of us. They both had a rather shabby appearance, with oversized, well-worn clothing and unkempt hair. The volume of the woman’s voice drew the attention and smirks of everyone in line. Her friend spoke very little, but smiled attentively throughout their conversation. I felt sorry for the pitiful pair and tried not to stare, but her bubbly voice and cheerful spirit drew my attention.

After the man ordered and paid for his meal the little woman approached the counter and said to the cashier, “I want the biggest fish sandwich you make!” Well, apparently her budget didn’t match her hunger when the order was totaled, so she began to rummage through her dirty, little, worn out purse. After several minutes of searching to no avail the woman smiled, looked over at her friend and said, “Well, since my check hasn’t arrived yet, maybe I’ll just order the smaller sandwich today.”

She went to hand the cashier her money when a quarter fell from her hand and landed next to her foot. John bent down to retrieve it for her and my eyes followed and fixed on something I will never forget. The little white tennis shoes on this petite lady’s feet were wrapped together with silver duct tape.

My heart sank! I suddenly felt very rich with my little jelly jar collection of change.

We sat in the booth next to them, and due to her flamboyant voice we couldn’t help but overhear most of their conversation. We chuckled several times as she spoke to every passer-by as if they were all her friends. Her gratitude began to convict me of the discontented one I brought in with me that evening.

With a lump in my throat and tears welling up I listened attentively.

By all appearance this little lady looked like she’d acquired her clothing from a charity bin that would have rejected her silver taped shoes for resale. She barely had enough teeth in her head to eat that sandwich, yet she consumed it with delight. Curiously drawn to her captivating demeanor, I surmised that her persona was clearly above the poverty line that her outward appearance communicated. Not once did she complain about her circumstances or display an ungrateful heart. Conversely, she couldn’t say enough about the many blessings she had in her life.

With a big smile on her face and joy in her voice she told her friend she was excited about her landlord coming by to fix the holes in her wall and repair the plumbing problems she’d been having. She told him that she was also hoping to have enough money saved soon to buy a telephone so that she could call her children.

Her countenance reflected that of a contented heart, much like the one the Apostle Paul wrote about in Philippians 4:11-12, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

As we sat there John and I concluded that we could do without the equipment; we wanted to spend our Christmas money on something more important.

After dinner we followed the pair out into the parking lot and asked if we could speak to them. Glad Gladys, as we affectionately refer to her in our family, was all smiles as we told her that her cheerful countenance and thankful heart had touched us. “When the quarter landed next to your shoes we couldn’t help but notice that they look like they’ve served you well. We’d be honored if you would allow us to buy you a new pair of shoes to replace them.”

Gladys received the money with as much of a thankful heart as she displayed to the cashier when she received that smaller sandwich, and she headed straight to the shoe store across the street.

What I learned that day changed me. You see, the reality is that Gladys’ heart wasn’t the one in need of repair that night; it was mine! The more I listened the more I realized that I had overlooked the value of a treasure simply because the wrapping paper wasn’t fresh, new and pretty. On the inside it was me that was disheveled and worn out. I was the one walking through my day with an attitude of ingratitude.

We never saw Glad Gladys again, but the lesson I learned that night continues to replay in my heart each time I’m tempted to run away from a difficult circumstance.

Gladys chose to rejoice in her infirmities. She purposed to be content in whatever state she was in. She didn’t look for an escape route; rather, she taped her shoes together and took the next step forward.

Someone, pass the tape! I want to run my race with that kind of perseverance.

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