This is a blog about Mr. Lawrence – the kindest, most gentle man ever to exist. Here are some essential things you need to know to imagine him whilst reading the rest of this blog: He moves everywhere in a slow gait, only slightly faster than his driving speed. He rocks a navy bucket hat on the daily. He is the quintessential grandfather figure ((he makes me miss mine)). He lives in a brick house with a green door.
This month, my team of seven is living on the compound of a sweet orphanage run by an organization called Seeds of Love in Maseru, Lesotho. We wash dishes and help the kiddos with their homework and lead Bible studies and love on people. It’s rad. One of our ministry hosts is Lawrence, who works in the orphanage office as a manager and coordinator.
Anyways, this past Tuesday, a few teammates and I had to run to the grocery store to buy some vital World Race items ((bananas, thumb tacks, a broom – only the essentials)) for our house. When we asked to be driven, Lawrence immediately stopped what he was doing and offered to chauffeur us to the nearest Shoprite on the spot. Thirteen minutes later, four of us scooted inside the grocery store while Lawrence trailed behind. The whole time we shopped he kept an eye on us, ensuring that we could find everything.
Well okay so long story short, our team treasurer didn’t come with us so she gave me the team credit card and I ended up losing/misplacing it after we checked out which of course I didn’t realize until we got home. My friend Mads297 and I raced back to the office from our house and knocked on Lawrence’s office door and asked if we could use his phone to call the grocery store. Without missing a beat, he laughed and patted me on the back and said “Let me drive you back really quickly! It’ll work out I promise.” And so for the second time that day, Lawrence dropped everything to cater to our needs ((slash my mistake)). When we arrived back at the Shoprite, Mads297 and I ran inside and explained the issue of the missing card to the store manager. A few minutes later, Lawrence shuffled inside. He helped us translate as three Shoprite employees chattered over each other speculating what I could have done with the credit card.
Long story short part two, we ended up leaving the grocery store empty-handed and tears welled in my eyes on the way home because without the card our team would be money-less and surely we would starve. As if he could read my mind, Lawrence gave me a soft smile and said “Don’t worry, I promise it will be okay.”
When we got home, I walked to the house and I emptied all the contents of my Kavu onto my sleeping bag and… There. It. Was. Inside my passport. Why? Couldn’t tell ya. Classic.
As soon as I found the credit card, I raced outside to tell Lawrence ((who was carefully scouring the backseat of the car incase it had fallen out, bless his soul)). A smile spilled onto his face and he bear-hugged me. As I profusely apologized for the excessive amount of wasted time and energy he just repeated over and over again “It was no problem! I am so glad you found the credit card. Now you don’t have to cry!”
Two lessons were learned. 1) It is very evident why I am not the team treasurer and we needn’t explore that prospect any further. 2) Lawrence’s patience.
Patience and flexibility are both things that I have continuously been praying about since I’ve been on the Race. Patience from both a time and relational standpoint. I’m so quick to fuss at someone if they aren’t doing something fast enough or are annoying me or whatever. I’ve been praying for my heart to flow with patience, forgiveness, and grace. I’ve been praying to live flexibly, ceding my instinct to control.
Lawrence is paradigmatic of the heart I’ve been praying for. He is patient like no other and wears a smile on his face every second. Even in a physical way, he lives slowly – his walk, his driving, his day – he embodies patience in every aspect.
I praise the Lord for Lawrence. I praise the Lord because I have the chance to learn from him for four whole weeks. I praise the Lord because I get to watch his humble servitude and gentle selflessness.
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace,” (Ephesians 4.2-3).
Thanks for reading 🙂
All my love, P.
