Prédicateur: Did I Promise Not to Preach?
Thursday, April 24, 2025
"Something good is coming my way." Try saying that and seeing what happens. More in today's story about a small miracle.
TODAY’S WORD: le prédicateur
: preacher, speaker at a church service
PRONUNCIATION: [luh pray-dee-kah-tuhr]
Le prédicateur a parlé de foi et de résilience pendant le service.
The preacher spoke about faith and resilience during the service.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristi Espinasse
When I said it was spring fever that had me feeling lackadaisical, I was hiding the truth. The fact is le printemps is not to blame. There’s a hot-and-cold undercurrent teeming beneath my skin and, these days, all I want to do is go live in a cave.
I don’t want to socialize, plan the next meal, or even think about house repairs (seven years after we completed the rez-de-chaussée it’s high time to attack le premier étage. Considering my emotional short circuiting, this is not the time to commit to a home renovation—even if the electric sockets are hanging out of the walls upstairs (Jean-Marc used his trusty duct tape to fix that. Harrumph! Sometimes it seems our house—indeed our world—is held together by that sticky silver patch-all).
Because this is not the moment to up and drop out of life (is there ever a good time to run away?) I decided to walk off my sparky emotions. Doing brisk circles around our neighborhood, far from la foule along the boardwalk, I made my request to God: Lord, show me that something good is coming my way. Yes, of course, there’s heaven–and that’s already great! But, if it be Your will, make it that something good is coming my way today….
I returned home to face website issues, doctor dilemmas, an empty frigo and les impôts—oh, I’ve got to get to those. Even with an automatic three-month extension, taxes loom in the back of my mind—and aren’t they symbolic of the situation at hand: this treadmill of life.
Finally, it was time to leave for the Easter church service, and I dragged myself out the door with three caillettes from the butcher and a loaf of homemade bread for the collation.
I don’t remember the message from that evening—my thoughts had an undercurrent of their own. And now everyone was moving over to the picnic table where a large array of food was on display: chips and guacamole, homemade accras, pissaladière (my favorite), quiche lorraine, pâté en croûte, oranges, melon, brioche, navettes, tiny chocolate bunnies, and two standing lambs (which turned out to be a kind of yogurt cake from a clever mold).
Making my way over to the little lambs, I decided to talk with our prédicateur about my recent cave-dwelling aspirations. “My thoughts are so negative lately. I just want to be left alone!” He smiled as I tried to laugh about a grumpiness that’s taken over like some kind of possession (now I understand the vivid Bible terminology—those “possessed” people were probably no more than moody men and women, just like my husband and me).
Speaking of my husband, there he was now, a little flushed from the wine tasting he’d been to at a nearby cave à vin (gosh, even he has a cave to go to for refuge!) No sooner did he walk in the door, to collect me for our walk home, than a church member recognized him. “T’es Jean-Marc?”
Before you could say lost sheep, the two men were patting each other on the back–Salut!
“You know each other?” I was amazed.
“Yes,” Jean-Marc answered. “Laurent and I played tennis when we were 15.”
Laurent nodded.
Giddy, I left the two to catch up and hurried over to the others, “Jean-Marc knows Laurent!” Not only did my husband know a new member of my church, but there was clearly a measure of respect for his childhood acquaintance. (I imagined he must have been a very good tennis player!)
The others at church were as awed as I was. So as soon as he finished talking to Jean-Marc, I hurried over. “Laurent! On compte sur toi!”
Laurent looked confused, having no idea what I was talking about—perhaps you don’t either, dear reader, so let me spell it out: if anyone could convert my husband… it would be a cool contemporary like Laurent!
As soon as I said as much, another member smiled. “It’s not up to Laurent. God works in mysterious ways. Let Him handle it.”
I thought back to my walk earlier. Whether or not my husband begins coming to church with me after all these years is none of my business. My job is to be an example of peace—something I suck at lately…
Enfin, what matters is that something great came my way today: and that great thing was the capacity to still be amazed by life’s so-called coincidences. Honestly, what are the chances that my husband would encounter an old friend from Marseille in a tiny Baptist church in La Ciotat?
I’d better not run off and live in a grotte just yet… or miss more of these miraculous encounters. In the meantime, as I go through this particular passage in life, I’ll try to resist the urge to grumble—or to preach! Better to leave that to les prédicateurs. I’ll focus on watching my own steps, trusting I’m never alone on this walk. With a lamp at my feet, the future is bright.
COMMENTS & CORRECTIONS
Your comments are encouraging and your corrections help so much.
To leave a message click here.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce the following words:
le prédicateur = preacher
le printemps = spring
le rez-de-chaussée = ground floor
le premier étage = first floor
la foule = crowd
le frigo = refrigerator
les impôts = taxes
la caillette = traditional meatball-shaped pâté from southeastern France
la collation = light meal or snack
les accras = Caribbean-style fritters
la pissaladière = savory tart with onions and anchovies
la quiche lorraine = savory tart with cream, eggs, and bacon
le pâté en croûte = meat pâté baked in a pastry crust
la navette = boat-shaped Provençal cookie
la cave à vin = wine shop
T’es Jean-Marc? = you’re Jean-Marc
Salut = hi
on compte sur toi = we’re counting on you
enfin = finally, anyway
la ruelle = little street or alley
grotte = cave
REMERCIEMENTS
Merci beaucoup for your continued support of this blog. The internet is brimming with places to see and things to read—I’m truly grateful you take the time to visit here. Special thanks this week to:
AL K.
BOB O.
KAKI G.
ELISA G.
MARCI H.
EILEEN B.
ROBERT & MARY ELLEN G.
I am deeply touched by the notes that sometimes accompany your donation, including these:
In celebration of what would have been my beloved father Jack's 100th birthday! He was your biggest fan. I read excerpts from your book to him on the night that he died. . . It was all that he wanted. . . MUCH LOVE, Eileen B.
Kristi, I have just submitted a request to the Indianapolis Public Library to buy your book so more people can know about it. Amities! Mary Ellen
FIRST CORPORATE BOOK ORDER!
Thanks, Critic’s Choice Vacations for your corporate book order of 30 copies of
A Year in a French Life. What a boost! Bon voyage to your clients headed to Europe and beyond!
Here is a tamaris tree. I talked about it in the previous post (about the presqu'île of Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer).
IMPENDING MOVE….
Currently I am working between two blogs, as I begin the daunting undertaking of moving blog platforms. There is a large learning curve involved and 23 years of posts to migrate. Please keep me in your prayers. Merci.
A Message from Kristi: Ongoing support from readers like you keeps me writing and publishing this free language journal each week. If you find joy or value in these stories and would like to keep this site going, donating today will help so much. Thank you for being a part of this community and helping me to maintain this site and its newsletter.
Ways to contribute:
1.Zelle®, The best way to donate and there are no transaction fees. Zelle to [email protected]
2.Paypal or credit card
Or purchase my book for a friend and so help them discover this free weekly journal.
For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
God is good, all the time! I don't think it's a coincidence that the first adjective listed in 1 Cor 13:4 is "patient." Our job is to love others (by our actions), pray for them, and share the gospel with them. Only God can change them, and his timetable doesn't ever seem to be the same as ours! You're brave to admit your weaknesses and struggles to all of us, but now we can pray more specifically. 2 Cor 12:9
Posted by: Paul B. | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Yes Kristi! You’re never alone! God knows…
Bénédictions !
Maribel
Posted by: Maribel ZABBAN | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 02:26 PM
Bonjour Kristi! Your post today reminds me of my mother’s expression: « Stop the world; I want to get off! ». She was a person who was very engaged with family and friends, but also liked some solitary pursuits. When she was having a little difficulty balancing these different facets of herself she would use that expression. Perhaps there is a French colloquialism for my mother’s expression? Tu sais? Blessings, Joanne
Posted by: Joanne | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 03:08 PM
Dear Kristi - quick response to the "cave" issue. We all have it at some time or another. A few minutes - a few days. For me - gratitude journal has definitely made a difference in my life. Just a note in a journal of five things I am grateful for the day that is just ending before I go to sleep. Who Knew? Can be anything - my dog, hot and cold running water, home to live in, food at the grocery store, blue sky, breath, music, etc. Not only is God with you but many of his creations are also. Hugs,
Posted by: Nancy | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 04:09 PM
Dear Kristi, I know exactly how you are feeling. Possibly you are dealing with too much. I know that is what has happened to me for the last 5 years. I try to meditate with some deep breathing and also do tapping therapy. It is a type of acupressure which helps with anxiety. I have unbalanced cortisol hormone in my system and this is one of the methods that has helped me. I have read a bible quote from Psalm 121:8. "For with God nothing shall be impossible" For me that is a comforting thought.
Take care, things do get better. Sending you prayers. Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 04:21 PM
Our dear Kristi ,
Another really wonderful post,written with, as always,humility and honesty.First and most emphatic comment here is: you could NEVER suck at peace! You are indeed a strong messenger of it.
Your example gives me hope to keep going even with all my faults,all my fears(fear,very definitely is NOT from God,but from the other side to reinforce our weaknesses)
Sometimes just knowing we are not alone in all of this is just the comfort and encouragement necessary to know we are not alone , to stay strong and
keep remembering that God even knows every hair on our heads,and as worrisome
as things might appear at times,in His words,all is well.
Courage,ma chere et toujours prieres et benefictions.
Arms around you tight.
Love
Natalia
Posted by: Natalia | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 05:26 PM
Dear Kristi,
I have learned that even the saddest moment can become a miracle. Each day is filled with its own kind of providential glory. We just have to see it.
My mother found her faith in God in the glory of nature…the sunrise and sunset, the waving fields of brome on her farm, the affection of her kitties and pups, the soft nuzzling velvet nose of a horse. She also had faith in people’s goodness. God was good.
And so when feeling down, continue to look for that moment of beauty, love or joy as you have. It’s all around you…
Posted by: Chris Allin | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 05:52 PM
Just when you needed it.... God is good.
Posted by: Joan | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 07:15 PM
You are a darling, Kristi! Our Father loves you so very dearly. I, too, have a bit of grumpiness and am trusting Him to see me through. I love the little miracle that He sent to you !!!
Lots of love in Jesus, C-Marie
Posted by: C-Marie | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 08:30 PM
You aren't the only once who has the feeling of being overwhelmed. One small way to deal with that is to look at your week and take one thing off the schedule. We're probably alike in that we feel so committed or obligated to so many people or things. For example, at my church this week is a work day to outside gardens and inside cleaning. I've lacked energy from so many other obligations that I wrote the person in charge to say I couldn't be there, but if he wanted any of the plants in my yard I will dig them up and drop them off for the church garden beds. I'm just peopled out for the week, but I want to contribute to the church work day if possible. Take care of yourself. Remember what they say on airplanes -- you must put your own mask on first before you help anyone else.
Posted by: Julie Farrar | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 08:45 PM
Inspired by a previous comment to ask our library also to order your book. And they did!
Southampton, Massachusetts
Posted by: DJ | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 08:45 PM
Dear Kristi: First of all, you are allowed to grumble; that's part of life, too. Second, I just love these chance coincidences! I honestly don't think anything is done
"by chance". For me, it's more fate than anything else. In any event, I hope you had a pleasant Easter. Always looking forward to your news & events. Amicalmente, Ann
Posted by: ann | Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 09:34 PM
This is a reminder to me to keep a piece of me "open" to be able to receive, maybe something wonderful = especially when I'm overwhelmed with the nagging "things that I 'need'/'should' be doing!" Thank you! Bonne Journee!
Posted by: Judi | Friday, April 25, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Your refreshingly honest and open expression of your thoughts and feelings and the wonderful comments were a gift to me as well. As a Tennessean, I have recently been imagining a cabin in the woods instead of a cave, but it's all the same. Merci, merci, Kristin. You gave me a reason to smile this morning and a reminder to be open to les coincidences and joy.
Posted by: Ophelia | Friday, April 25, 2025 at 02:21 PM
Oh, what a beautiful story. This made me smile. Thank you for sharing it. I do appreciate your careful and creative crafting with words. When I read the description of your household's needed electric circuitry repairs and later read the phrase, ..."my sparky emotions".... I just loved that!
When the next "spark" became a miracle at your church gathering... this "arc" of the story could not have been more perfect.
L’amour est tout <3
Posted by: Linda | Friday, April 25, 2025 at 03:30 PM
I’ve always gone to church and maybe once asked my husband if he’d like to come. After that I didn’t ask. But he had met our pastor and really liked him. One day, many years later, and after he retired, he said he’d like to go to church with me, and has been ever since. Just remember “For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” That’s the important thing. We do t know what’s going on in another person’’s heart. But God does.
Posted by: Annie | Monday, April 28, 2025 at 07:22 PM
Thanks, Annie. I love this. xoxo
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 10:33 AM
My dear friend,
I am right there on the pathway beside you! If there is a fork in the path, at the end I yearn to find a cabin in the woods - a quiet place far from the lists and responsibilities that seem overwhelming at times. I am mindful of the immense number of blessings in my life. Yet, God is encouraging me to forge a new path. I pray and ask for guidance and the wisdom to listen. While keeping my heart and eyes open to simple, every day joys…like your stories! Keep the faith ! You are loved! xoxo
Posted by: Stacy | Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 02:46 AM
Merci, Kristi, once again for your open heart. Life is full of seasons, some more challenging than others, but God is in them all. I often pray for windows of encouragement and perhaps Jean-Marc's friend showing up was just that. Who knows what fruit you will see from this renewed friendship? Blessings on you as you continue your journey of faith.
Posted by: Alice Shupe | Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 03:06 AM