On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
My husband isn’t picky about many things, but he is picky about the kind of belt he wears. Plus, he is cheap. He wants a nice, all leather belt, but he wants to pay a flea market price for it. He bought his last everyday belt at the flea market about fifteen years ago for the whopping price of $5.00. Although he had made several trips to the flea market to purchase another one, the vender was never there.
He became quite serious about a new belt before Christmas, searching online for the perfect one. He couldn’t settle on one, so I decided to order him a belt made of fine Italian leather as a Christmas gift. Unfortunately, I chose the wrong size, so back it went.
During his online searching for a belt, I kept mentioning that he should check out the leather store about a mile from our home. It is a bright yellow building with “Leather” written all over it. He said he had never noticed it…. The man has lived in this town his ENTIRE life!
On Monday we had time to kill while we waited on a prescription at the pharmacy. Since the leather store is located a couple of blocks from the pharmacy, I suggested this would be a great time to check it out; he agreed and off we went.
Once in the leather store be began browsing, but wasn’t certain about the quality, so I suggested he ask the store owner about the belts. He walked over and explained to the man how much he had loved his flea market belt and was disappointed the vender was no longer there. And….. wait for it…… The man’s father was the flea market vender and the son was now making the leather goods.
The belt he wanted had been right in front of his eyes for years and he hadn’t even noticed.
Man, this was a face slap moment for me. How many times have I struggled for an answer or searched for peace when it was always there, right in front of me.
John 14:27 says: “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
The lyrics to a song written by Gary Paxton began running through my mind.
Time after time, I was searching for peace
In some void
I was trying to blame all my ills
On this world I lived in
Surface relationships used me ’til I was done in
But all the time Someone was waiting
To free me from my sins
Chorus:
He was there all the time
He was there all the time
Waiting patiently in line
He was there all the time
Even though my husband paid fifteen dollars more for his belt, he felt a one dollar per year increase, wasn’t a bad deal.
Full Song Lyrics: http://www.lyrster.com/lyrics/he-was-there-all-the-time-lyrics-valor.html#ixzz3xBmQkuAX
Read more at http://www.lyrster.com/lyrics/he-was-there-all-the-time-lyrics-valor.html#eSq8Vvy5QEzWJMPw.99
Old Things R New 
I have been enjoying your personal blog entries, and this one I can picture Mike and his quest for the perfect belt. Loved the “message” of your story, and how you have been tying in songs/lyrics/links to great old songs I know your musical family and you have enjoyed all these years!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this very powerful story!
LikeLike
Thank you! This is one blog that shouted to be written.
LikeLike
Songs always flow through my mind, I have found, though that it is not always socially acceptable to belt out a song in public!
LikeLike