Hickey Theology

There are more special people in my life that I will share with you, but there is one connection that has to do with being first at the new Baskin-Robbins in Pasadena, Texas. By this time our family’s time on Dewberry Lane had come to an end. Our landlord wanted sell 2103 Dewberry Lane and the Hickey’s not being in very good financial health could not afford to buy the house.

So, May 1965 the Hickey’s moved to Trimm Ave. The only good things about the move it was only 3 streets over from Dewberry Lane. I was still able to walk or ride my bike to Dewberry to play with my Dewberry gang. We still went on adventures and played all the games.

However, it just so happens that they started to build the first Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Store on Strawberry between the Shell Station (corner Tartar-Strawberry) and The Pasadena Royal Apartments (Strawberry). It was located less than a half of a block from my house, now that is what I call a divine sign.

I watched the construction progress on a daily basis. I was just waiting for the big opening day. Opening day came in the summer 1965. I had sold coke bottles to be able to buy a chocolate chip milkshake. Before the shop opened I was sitting on the sidewalk out front for at least 2 hours. I was determined to be the first customer, and I was. The owner, Mrs. Johnstone unlocked the door, and I ran in like I was possessed. I could not wait to see all the different flavors.

Even though I knew what I wanted I took my time and Mrs. Johnstone was patient with me. I finally ordered my Chocolate Chip shake and sat in one of the chairs in the shop. Mrs. Johnstone talked with me. Over time Mrs. Johnstone and I became, somewhat friends. We always talked when I came in and sometimes when I had not sold enough bottles to cover the cost of the ice cream, she took what I had and call us even.

Sometimes, I just went into the shop just to talk to Mrs. Johnstone, when she was there, about school and maybe some things I was struggling with in 6th grade. My middle school years were my most difficult time in my life. Through those times Mrs. Johnstone would listen to me and offered to me words of encouragement. I often left there not carrying ice cream but carrying a sense of calm and a confidence of empowerment.

The years passed and I had lost my connection with Mrs. Johnstone. I always remembered her kindness towards an annoying little boy. I would ever so often go to Baskin-Robbins, but she was no longer there. Fast-forward 20 something years. It was a Sunday morning at La Porte Community Church where Susan and I was attending, and on this particular Sunday I was going to be preaching.

I gave my sermon, ‘God’s Economy’ and was standing at the back of the church greeting the congregation when an older woman walked up and said, “I always knew you were special”. She went on to say, “I bet you don’t remember me”. I immediately realized that it was Mrs. Johnstone. I grabbed her and hugged her. Mrs. Johnstone said, ” so that little boy who came to me with all those problems has grown up, I am very proud of you”.

I thanked her for all the times she let me have ice cream, for all the times she listened to me and for the words of encouragement that gave me the strength to endure those horrible years of teasing and bullying.

As I sit here writing this post, I again can see how God took something as simple as buying a chocolate chip milkshake and created a connection that would have a tremendous impact on my life. Mrs. Johnstone was another one of my guardian angels that God gave to me to help guide me through this journey called life. Until Next Time

Grace and Peace