Whistling

I have a funny habit that is a little out of fashion these days, and much harder with a mask—whistling. I don’t whistle at anyone (no catcalls here), just simply whistling a happy tune as I walk around, especially indoors, like grocery or hardware stores. I’m a big believer, as is the writer of Proverbs, that, “A glad heart makes a cheerful face… and a joyful heart is good medicine…” In fact, I’d like to suggest that it’s impossible to whistle and not be happy. 

When I’m whistling around Kroger, I mostly get smiles from those who look my way (I can tell from the smiling eyes). Sometimes someone will say, “Well, someone’s having a good day,” or something similar. Masking has hampered my efforts a bit, but I still try. 

The other day, while attending a prayer meeting at church, it was decided that we’d each take a nearby street and spend the next 45 minutes walking and praying for those living there. There’s nothing like getting on site and believing God to give you His insight about things. 

I was happy to get out in the fresh spring air. The chances of meeting others on the sidewalk during that mid-morning hour were slim, as most would be at work, and 15 of us dutifully traipsed out to our respective streets. 

Remembering how whistling signaled a happy message to those around me at the store, I wondered how to project that in the neighborhood while I plodded on. No one was milling about, but folks did pass by in their cars. And as they did, I decided to wave at people while looking straight at them as they passed by. Nothing crazy or over the top, just something friendly and warm. 

A great video I’d seen recently got me thinking. It’s called “Godspeed: The Pace of Being Known” and chronicles a clergyman’s practice of walking his parish, taking deeper interest in people and their lives, and what it taught him about knowing the community. It’s well worth the 30 minutes to watch. Find it here:  https://vimeo.com/theranchstudios/livegodspeed

There wasn’t much traffic passing, but those that did got my big warm smile and an acknowledging wave, and I usually got one in return. I walked on, greeting anyone I saw in like fashion. The connection, even a slight one, felt good.

Click the image above to watch "Godspeed: The Pace of Being Known" on Vimeo.

My grandmother used to say that when you get old, you’re gonna get wrinkles, so make sure they’re the laughing kind. I was working it that day.

Up one side of the street and down the other, I prayed for the owners of each house. It wasn’t until I was on my way back towards the church that I got my first question. A guy passed me in a pickup truck, returned my wave and then circled back around. Rolling down his window, he asked, “What are you doing out here? I see a lot of folks walking sidewalks this morning.” I told him that there were a handful of us praying for the neighborhood. “It’s your lucky day!”  “Huh. Well that’s nice, thanks” he said “Anything I can pray for you about?” I asked. “Uh, I’m good,” he said, “Thanks,” and off he went. 

I’ve rarely had anyone ask what I was doing while walking on the sidewalk. It must have been the smile and the wave that drew his attention, that and seeing other people walking. 

Much like whistling in the grocery, something positive was communicated. By the time I arrived back to the church parking lot, two other people, one in a car and one in their driveway, had greeted me after I smiled and waved.

These walking prayers felt more meaningful, somehow, as did my view of the neighborhood. 

We are to be salt and light to those around us, but I wonder how often we succeed. I’ve heard it said that, “Small things done in great love will changed the world.” I think it’s true; it changes the world for you, and the world around you, too.

In the week following our prayer walk, for the first time in all years the church has been open, several junior high and high school students from that neighborhood stopped by to play a pickup game at the parking lot basketball net. They even decided to hang out for the youth meeting. “Well, that’s never happened before!” the youth pastor said. 

I joked around, asking “Do you know what street they live on? Perhaps we can determine whose prayers are really working!”

As the temperature gets warmer and the days get longer, I look forward to extending the boundaries of kindness that come with a simple smile, wave and a greeting. What are you projecting these days? Drop the mask and show those pearly whites. 

Prophetic Prayer & Communion
The next PPC is on Sunday, June 27th, 7-9pm at Northstar. Childcare won't be provided this time.

School of Kingdom Ministry
Our fifth year of SOKM comes to a close.