Today’s Thought “Returning Home” G. Ward Romans 12 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. As I stood behind this woman as she scolded my older brother by 16 months, I fumed with red hot anger although I knew how his shrewd business practices at eleven years young selfishly involved grass cutting services so as to purchase sweet delicacies for himself (whereas our neighborhood had three nearby bakeries) and this lady had been the recent victim of his selfish impropriety. These were the days when children’s defense was disquieted as adults spoke, so it was sad to witness my brother walk away with his head hung low. I contemplated how he felt to see me there seemingly affirming her castigation. Creatively and shortly thereafter, I found an exit to what was frequent visitation to her home (as I was recognized as such a good boy – but stay tuned…). It happened that on a day where loneliness invited mischief in my soul (some 2 years later – making it even more preposterous), I was in a crank calling mood and guess who would be my victim to consider? You guessed it – Old Lady Powell! These were the days when you had to remember telephone numbers, whereby those same numbers were with prefixes indicating what side of town you resided. Here’s what I forgot to share (from the confessional booth), I had a potty mouth for such a young fellow and so this foolish exercise in sharing these venomous expressions with a voice in disguise (I thought) was absolutely hilarious for me, particularly as she would listen for what was the longest 5 minutes of my life, to then conclude this discourse of mine with two words that kept me silent for hours thereafter. She said, “Okay Gregory!” Many years later I would visit our old block as a married man with two sons and stopped at Ms. Powell’s home. Her receptivity was captivating as I marveled her recall of me (she was quite elderly). Hospitality was all over it and she insisted on meeting my family. She began to interrogate all that was happening in my life and upon my sharing that I had become a pastor, it almost sent her to heaven. I don’t make as many prank calls anymore and my words are certainly more seasoned with the grace provided me by my Savior as today remembers how merciful Old Lady Powell was.