A Finger Lakes Christmas Tree

I was mowing the church’s lawn one hot day this summer and wondering to myself what was I doing there when I could have been at home taking care of my own yard. A lady in an SUV stopped by the church and asked for directions to some road that I had never heard of. She showed me her map with some directions written down and I instantly recognized that she had traveled too far off the Thruway exit and needed to go back in the direction that she came from. She was one of those “traveling nurses” who go to people’s homes to help out in time of sickness or extended illness.

She asked if I was the “groundskeeper” of the church and I replied, “Yes, but I don’t know what I am doing here today!” Then she said to me, “I’m sure that you will be rewarded!” Now I am not looking to be rewarded for a job that I volunteer to do, but maybe just a little recognition for all of the work that it does take to care for the church’s property.

As she drove off and I returned to my yard work, it became apparent to me that she had been sent there to deliver a message. Now I am powerless to help you with what you have been struggling with this year, but I can offer you my encouragement and tell you that some day you too will be rewarded for all of the good deeds that you have done this year. And with that said, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

James R. Bupp