Monday, March 03, 2008
About once a month I try to take a day away for prayer and reflection. Today was incredibly gorgeous and I wanted to go hike Hawk Mountain but my daughter has her championship basketball game tonight so I had to get back early.
Instead I decided to go downtown and meander through Benjamin Franklin historical sights in Center City. I’ve been studying his writings as of late and thought this would be a great change of pace.
I had a great time.
I’ll write more about what I saw and processed at a later date, but I wanted to share what I considered the coolest part of my day (other than clearing my head and trying to listen to God).
It’s was the chicken cheese steak I had for lunch.
About once a month I try to take a day away for prayer and reflection. Today was incredibly gorgeous and I wanted to go hike Hawk Mountain but my daughter has her championship basketball game tonight so I had to get back early.
Instead I decided to go downtown and meander through Benjamin Franklin historical sights in Center City. I’ve been studying his writings as of late and thought this would be a great change of pace.
I had a great time.
I’ll write more about what I saw and processed at a later date, but I wanted to share what I considered the coolest part of my day (other than clearing my head and trying to listen to God).
It’s was the chicken cheese steak I had for lunch.
Midway through the day I stumbled upon a street vendor at the corner of 5th & Market across the street from the Independence Hall Visitor’s Center. Of course I ordered my favorite -- a chicken cheese steak, onions, mayo, no cheese, just the way Jesus would order it if he were here. Then I grabbed my Diet Pepsi (knowing that it would counteract any extra calories in the cheese steak), waited for my sandwich to get done, handed “Manny” $4.75 and went and sat down.
The sky was beautiful. The temperature was just perfect; just a slight breeze. Pigeons were playing at my feet.
I just sat there, overcome with an overwhelming sense of gratitude – for the opportunity to live in such a beautiful area, for my awesome chicken cheese steak, for the blessing of my family and friends, for the way God has been at work in our church family – I just kept recalling all the ways God has blessed me in the past few months.
With chicken cheese steak in hand I was reminded again of the wonderful gift of being alive, and of having a creator that loves us, and feeling called to join Him in something of beauty and purpose.
If you get a chance to leisurely walk through your neighborhood or a park this week just to simply listen and pray, please do that.
And if for some reason you’re down near Independence Hall and are looking for a great chicken cheese steak, tell Manny I said hello. He’s on 5th and Market. He’s the one who is always smiling.
6 comments:
Living on the West Coast until I moved here (2 1/2 yrs ago) I never experienced a street vendor before. I have been told millions of times how great they are, and I think I may even have had something once, but it still gives me the heebie jeebies!! Of course, the first time I was taken to Pat's I wanted to cry! It was very traumatic! Seriously, do you know how dirty it is out there???
I think I'm a little better now. Of course Jon may disagree!
(I think I may have roamed from the actual topic at hand, sorry!)
There is little doubt that Lou's cart between JFK & Market on 16th Street blows Manny out of the water. Granted, Lou's cheesesteak is probably tied with Manny's...Lou leads the world in early morning fried egg sandwiches. Besides, I understand Manny uses Lou's day old bread.
Mayor Nutter
I am with Michelle-you never know where those hands have been. I will need to check it out though since I work in Center city.
awesome food cart. Eaten there many times.
what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. those food trucks are the best!
It can't be a chicken cheese steak without the cheese!!!!
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