We got to know the post office employees more than most people might. This was especially so in Anderson. However, our most meaningful interaction was our last day in Anderson while we were shipping boxes out before leaving town a few weeks ago. We went to the main branch (which is not our normal branch we visit) in hopes of getting two people working on the register so when we come through the line we don't back people up behind us forever. Because, let me tell you when people see us coming with large boxes 5-6 at a time no one gets excited.
Unfortunately, they just went down to one employee at the registers shortly after we arrived and by the time we got to the window there was already a good sized line formed behind us. So Nate and our friend, Tyler dropped the boxes off for me at the window and felt it was in their best interest to not hover around the counter and went outside to wait.
I was face to face with a seasoned postal employee I've encountered a few other times, and had absolutely no issues with but remembered him to be slower in processing mail and can come across pretty gruff at times. But I was determined to make this as pleasant as possible for him knowing he might be feeling stress of the line behind me. So as we made some small talk he got curious what we were shipping and why so much. And I explained we were moving to Guam for a pastoring position for my husband.
This gave him pause, as it normally does for most people either for good or bad. He looked over to Nate and our friend who were now hovering in the doorway at the edge of the post office and asked if the tall one was my husband which I confirmed. Then he looked at my over his glasses and said to me "Will you do me a favor?" and I anxiously wondered where this was going, but said sure.
Then he pulled out an iPhone from his pocket, opened up his notes app, and slid it over the counter to me.
"Will you write you and your husbands names down and that you are ministering in Guam? I would like to pray for you and I would like to put you on the prayer list at our church."
So I did just that, stating we would appreciate all the prayers. As I was typing in our names I was wondering if this guy was taking a risk of reprimand from any superiors if he was overheard etc. But I was really appreciative and genuinely touched that this gruff sounding man was a brother in Christ and wanted to pray for us!
He then shared he went to Mexico on his first mission trip with his church this past year and it was one of the most meaningful things he had ever done in his life.
I was quite honored that he chose to share with me and that he took such a personal interest in who we were and were we were going.
As I paid for all the shipping costs, I gathered all my receipts and we said our goodbye's. I looked at the long line behind me and thought it miraculous that no one had a meltdown while they waited and thanked everyone for their patience as I made me way to meet up with Nate and tell him about my last half hour.
