Grits and . . . God?

OddStory

Jun 26

One Odd Thing: Grits and God?

This morning I took one of my kids to their orthodontist check-up. The front office staff are always kind, and last time I was there, Brenda told us about her new puppy—smart, energetic, a total handful.

As I walked in today, I asked, “How’s the puppy?” She lit up. Turns out he’s now nearly 50 pounds and—surprise—he’s a Southern Black Mouth Cur, a breed popular in Alabama. I told her I’d seen plenty growing up in Mississippi.

Over the next 10 minutes, we talked about her dog, her family’s Virginia roots, southern food (grits came up), and the joy of cooking a really good meal.

Then she asked, “So, what do you do?”

I pointed out the window. “I’m the pastor at the Presbyterian church across the street. Just started three months ago.”

“Oh!” she said. “I didn’t know that. I’ve been looking for a spiritual home.”

I told her, “You’d be so welcome. This Sunday I’m preaching on the other side of prayer—how sometimes we’re the ones who ask, and sometimes we’re the answer.”

Right then, we jumped into a real conversation—faith, church, and finding a place that fits. As my son came out with a clean bill of orthodontic health, Brenda smiled and said, “I really needed this today. I guarantee you, you’ll see me soon.”

From braces to puppies, from southern cooking to the stirrings of faith—one powerful, unexpected conversation at 9:30 in the morning.

Grits and God.

How odd… and how good.

And for your edification, here’s a Southern Black Mouth Cur