Watching Daily

The bookstore, Park Road Books, that stocks my first book called me. They needed more of my first book, and asked to look at my second book. I tottered in with the box of books, my braced wrists aching. I wondered how many authors deliver their books with double wrist braces for carpal tunnel syndrome. Probably a lot. Somehow, I felt proud of this occupational malady. No one needed to know it had not come from writing books, but from answering emails about ski trips I organize....

The owner smiled and looked like he knew me when he came in from the back room. All the workers surely did too, this well known local author stepping within their sphere. I felt the aura of fame surrounding me. I smiled beatifically upon my subjects, my every movement graceful and refined. I knew there must be crowds being held back by riot police just outside the door for word had leaked that Vicky Kaseorg was delivering a box of new books. I tipped my chin at the right angle for the glimmer of sun to strike it in such a way as to suggest it no longer dripped without definition into my neck. Ah, it is glorious to be so revered!

"And what are you here for?" asked the saleswoman, breaking into my reverie.
"I brought some more books."
She opened the box, "Oh, more Listening! Oh, ok. Just a second."
Then she disappeared.
The other salesmen just kept working, while I waited.
They probably didn't recognize me without my name tag.
Fame is fleeting, I thought.

When the saleswoman returned, she handed me a check. It was the completely unexpected payment for the books I had sold. I had totally forgotten about being paid. When I subtracted my costs, the profits would not change my life...but we could have a nice dinner out maybe, and I could send a donation to hollowcreekfarm.org.

I held up the new book, my second book, God Drives a Tow Truck.
"Sarah emailed me and told me she wanted to look at this one too," I said.
The owner took the book, looked it over, and shrugged, "Sure, leave 5 of those too."
Oh the grueling, nail biting review one must endure to find shelves willing to stock one's blood, sweat, and tears!

Earlier, I had been watching the dogs on this gloomy, cloudy day. They were sitting at the glass door, as usual, watching the world go by. They had an expectant cast to their head, as though they knew something wondrous, something momentous could occur at any moment. Something unexpected and miraculous could shake their world and they wanted to be looking for it. They were taking no chances that they might miss it.

Proverbs 8 is a whole chapter about seeking with expectant wonder. In that book, Wisdom is personified, and the writer is diligently seeking and exhorting others to set all else aside in the pursuit of Wisdom. The seeker is described as waiting and watching at a door, knowing that the blessings of God will flow upon those who earnestly seek the best that God has to offer. The implication in that proverb is those who aren't watching could miss it. It would be like my poor dog Honeybun deciding to go get a drink of water just as the mailtruck she so loves to bark at drives by. Her daily vigil would end without coming to fruition from that lapse.

I stepped back outside the bookstore. I noticed that the police had done a masterful job of dispersing the crowds. Not one adoring fan remained, swooning as I emerged. The sun was trying to peek out from behind the gloomy clouds that had dampened the entire day. Smiling, I tossed the empty book box in a garbage can.

Proverbs 8:34
Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.

-Everything is possible with God