Not so long ago in Texas land, the rich yet poor visited home. Few in the town of Blessing did not know Lashlee Whippitt, whose name just about said it all; for as small towns go, the life story of any dwelled not afar. Otherwise said, all the wise knew what was not new with Lashlee Whippitt. For alas this poor rich lass had traded-in her name of birth for that of a country star in Austin's big city lights.
Yet, twas for blessed reason that the lips of Blessing folk remembered Lashlee Whippitt by her given name, Mercy Ann Love. But seemed every time so greeted as Mercy or Miss Love, a grimace un-graced the pouty lips of that otherwise beautiful young lady.
And so came the day, all would forever pay, or so schemed the tell them all off mind of Miss Whippitt. Miss Whippitt, who drove in four wheel drive her Cadillac truck over the curb into the drive of the Hotel Blessing. The Hotel Blessing where all are welcome to share the meal of high noon.
Mini whirlwinds whipped the parking lot dust in the wake of each flip-flop flip. And on way to the Hotel dinning room door, Lashlee's brain spit flame, "Never will anyone ever, no not never, call me Mercy nor Love, not never again!"
Now at the Hotel Blessing it is serve yourself, all you can eat, down home cooking, kept warm in kettles atop a row of antique stoves. And in line you stand with friends and neighbors, for in the Hotel Blessing all are neighbors, no matter where from, no matter how far traveled.
And in the line of waiting, pretty pink painted toenail toes strummed flip-flop soles, till time to fill the plate. And oh did she wait for it, wait for it with spite, ready to pounce if cheerfully greeted, when that awful name of birth be repeated.
"Well hi, Miss Mercy Ann Love. Why this very morning on KICK radio, I was just listening to you coo like a dove. That new song of yours is so..." interrupted in mid complement was an in line neighbor named Angel.
"My name is Lashlee! Don't ever, no not never, never, never ever call me Mercy nor Love again! I hate that stupid name." Lashlee Whippitt blew flame.
"Oh Miss Love! I didn't mean no harm. I, well actually most all folks in this little ol' town call you Miss Mercy Ann Love, cause we love our sweet home grown girl. We just love you, for being you. No matter how successful you are... no matter how far you go... you stay in our hearts... Why heavens! We love you, like Jesus loves us."
And love filled tears put out the flames of un-loved fears in the heart of Miss Mercy Ann Love, as she hugged her Blessing Angel. And from the rest of the waiting line, and from across every dining table, from every heart of neighbor flowed love for Miss Love. Miss Mercy Ann Love... once rich yet poor... was poor no more...
And so was that not so long ago of every day... at the Hotel Blessing...
Three weeks later Lashlee Whippitt vanished from Austin city neon light; that there instead the name Mercy Ann Love shine so bright...
John 15:12; Proverbs 22:1-2
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