If you’ve never been there, you gotta go! The Donut Man in Glendora, CA (thedonutmanca.com) has the most amazing donuts you could ever imagine. This is just one of their delectable delights, The Original Fresh Strawberry Stuffed Donut. It was National Donut Day last week and I couldn’t resist making the trek to get one of these beauties. What I didn’t expect was in addition to the rush of sugar, fat and carbs, I also received a refreshing jolt of hope, joy and encouragement from my fellow sweet-seeking humans.
The Donut Man is a small donut stand on the famous Route 66. The modest building has two walk up windows and a convenient ATM tucked alongside it. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and I have never been there when there wasn’t a line stretching around the corner. Finding parking is always a challenge. I usually end up in the dirt lot annex adjacent to the small paved lot behind the store. The donuts are enormous. In addition to their stuffed treats they have tiger tail donuts and chocolate bars that are about the size of my forearm. It’s an amazing place.
As I got in line last Friday there were about 8 people ahead of me, all different ages, races and backgrounds represented. The young ladies at the window were giddy with excitement, cackling and giggling as they waited for their order. They were the only ones expressing what I suspect all of us were trying to contain as the sights and smells of the donuts filled our senses. Just as I rounded the corner to the front of the stand I noticed one of the gentlemen a few people in front of me get out of line. He explained to those around him he needed to use the ATM. I heard one of them say, “No problem. We got you.” As he left the front of the stand just a few steps away to use the ATM several other hungry patrons got in line. He completed his transaction and as he turned and noticed the line had grown he quietly stepped to the back of it.
The couple right behind me called out to him, “Hey! You were ahead of us. You don’t have to get back in line.”
The man shook his head, “It’s okay.”
The man who had been holding his place chimed in as well, “Dude. You’re up here. Come on.”
I jumped in too, “Yeah, come on,” as I waved him over. Reluctantly he came forward and took his original place in line, thanking everyone along the way as he did.
I don’t know if it was blend of sugary goodness that was in the air, or the anticipation of gorging myself on that strawberry glaze, but my heart soared at the way these total strangers came together. Frankly, it was kind of shocking. He was so quiet about going to the end of the line, everyone could have easily ignored him and allowed him to stay there. Someone who had gotten in line while he used the ATM could have objected to our urging as well, but they didn’t. On the other hand, he could have been insistent about his place in line as well, elbowing others to get back to the place he had left. But none of that happened. Everyone just did what was right. They did what was nice. They thought of someone else before themselves. It was refreshing to see.
If you look at what is in the news, or listen to talk radio, or infuse yourself in social media, you would think that the very fabric of our nation is about split apart. We are in constant opposition no matter what the topic. We are bombarded with opinion and disagreement. We are compelled to take a side, make our opinion known, and attack those who don’t agree. There is very little truth, only spin, and the topic changes moment by moment. There are tornadoes of distraction trying to suck us into their vortex and all of them lead to the same conclusion: Abandon all hope! Pick a side! Everyone hates each other!
But then there are these Donut Man experiences: real people interacting with each other face to face, exchanging glances and words, smiles, and “hellos,” saving places for each other in long lines; no arguments, no harsh language, no vigilantism, just people showing kindness to one another. What a contrast.
I recently read in the book of Colossians, “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” Colossians 3:2-10 (New Living Translation)
Satan would like nothing more than to distract us with the things of this world. Get us caught up in the latest controversy or opinion poll. It really doesn’t matter what side we’re on. That’s never his point. His only goal is to divide us – to make us believe our differences are more important than what we have in common; to make us believe our opinion is more valuable than connecting as fellow human beings. Don’t fall for it!
As believers, heaven is to be in the forefront of our minds. We don’t belong to the world anymore. That doesn’t mean we live in a bubble and don’t engage with the world. In fact, it’s just the opposite! We are to be the lights, the love of God in the flesh for others to see, feel, and experience. But we can’t do that when we are caught up in the same things that are distracting and dividing those who don’t know Him. The world is becoming darker. God told us it would. Many are abandoning all hope and believing the hype they are reading. But we know Hope personally. His name is Jesus and He lives inside of us.
The Donut Man experience was my reminder of the value of real connection. It was the reminder that God’s love – His undeserving, gracious love – is available and it’s available through US! We’re His delivery system. And when we work together as one in delivering that love, powerful things can happen – far more powerful than the tornadoes of distraction that try to keep us from loving.
Father, I thank you for experiences like the one you gave me at Donut Man that show me that there is a reason you chose people, as flawed as we are, to be the vessels through whom You are made known to the world. Help us, as your Body, to remember that responsibility and keep us from getting caught up in the mire, distraction, and dissension of this world. We look forward to when we get to be with You. In the mean time, use us to spread Your powerful love so that others may be restored to you and their hope, like ours, can be in Jesus. It’s in His name that we ask these things, amen.