When I was at Walmart last week, ready to check out, I was perusing the check-out lanes. Like everyone, I wanted to go through the quickest line. As I looked around, though, I saw a line that was moving rather slowly. The checker wasn't smiling and she wasn't moving quickly. I don't know why but I thought maybe I should take that aisle. Although I often just bumble along through my days, sometimes I fancy that I'm being directed by God or the Holy Spirit to do something in particular. I don't really know but this felt like one of those times. I figured it was my challenge at that moment to maybe try to cheer her up. I thought maybe she was new or frustrated or both.
Just as I approached for my turn to check out, they had a changing of the guards. The checker who was my target for cheering was going off and another checker was coming on. The new checker was smiley and jovial. Hmmmm... maybe I'd misunderstood my mission of the moment.
As the smiley checker was efficiently scanning my items I noticed she was wearing a really pretty cross necklace, similiar to this one of mine.
I said, "I like your necklace." She responded, "Thanks. Are you a Steelers fan?" Confused, I responded, "No. I'm a God fan." She laughed, realizing her error, just as I noticed she was wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers lanyard with her name tag attached. She then went on to tell me she was a God fan, loved God so much, didn't know what she'd do without him, etc.
THEN, the smile left her face and she spoke of her son. He was in some kind of trouble. He was denying the existence of God, he'd committed a crime, and his future was a mess. She told me he was being evaluated for mental health issues but then was likely going on to prison. I did not ask her about his crime but I did ask her his first name. She told me his name is Nick. I told her I'd pray for him. The look of astonishment on her face was amazing. She thanked me over and over for volunteering to pray for him. It was such a small thing, my honor, really, but it meant so much to her.
I don't know if that chance encounter between me and the checker was really directed and planned by God or the Holy Spirit. I maybe just get these high falutin' ideas on my own. I don't really think so, though. I left that moment feeling better and I think she did as well. I think two women, for those few moments, needed to connect. I needed to feel I was making a difference and she needed to know someone cared about her son.
So, if you are the praying kind, I invite you to pray for her son, Nick, as well. I don't know his story and can't tell you how to direct your prayers, but I am certain God will know of whom you are speaking. He's hurting and he needs to feel God's presence in his life.
Just as I approached for my turn to check out, they had a changing of the guards. The checker who was my target for cheering was going off and another checker was coming on. The new checker was smiley and jovial. Hmmmm... maybe I'd misunderstood my mission of the moment.
As the smiley checker was efficiently scanning my items I noticed she was wearing a really pretty cross necklace, similiar to this one of mine.
I said, "I like your necklace." She responded, "Thanks. Are you a Steelers fan?" Confused, I responded, "No. I'm a God fan." She laughed, realizing her error, just as I noticed she was wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers lanyard with her name tag attached. She then went on to tell me she was a God fan, loved God so much, didn't know what she'd do without him, etc.
THEN, the smile left her face and she spoke of her son. He was in some kind of trouble. He was denying the existence of God, he'd committed a crime, and his future was a mess. She told me he was being evaluated for mental health issues but then was likely going on to prison. I did not ask her about his crime but I did ask her his first name. She told me his name is Nick. I told her I'd pray for him. The look of astonishment on her face was amazing. She thanked me over and over for volunteering to pray for him. It was such a small thing, my honor, really, but it meant so much to her.
I don't know if that chance encounter between me and the checker was really directed and planned by God or the Holy Spirit. I maybe just get these high falutin' ideas on my own. I don't really think so, though. I left that moment feeling better and I think she did as well. I think two women, for those few moments, needed to connect. I needed to feel I was making a difference and she needed to know someone cared about her son.
So, if you are the praying kind, I invite you to pray for her son, Nick, as well. I don't know his story and can't tell you how to direct your prayers, but I am certain God will know of whom you are speaking. He's hurting and he needs to feel God's presence in his life.
2 comments:
Susan,
I will pray for Nick with you. And also, I am reminded, someone once said something like, there is not even one rouge molecule in this world. If God is God at all, He is God of All. I believe the Spirit leads us in all things, even That when we sin, he is still over, in and through all things. (He is not the cause of sin, but certainly He has sovereignty over it) I will pray believing that God will use Nick's circumstance to reveal himself...as so often God has used my own sin - to show me His sweet grace.
Grace, Peace and Joy my Dear Sister. Loved this post. I, too, am a God fan and thank the Lord for praying Mommas at all ages and stages.
Jojo
yes, God directed your steps, and you followed.
and what a way to remind yourself of your promise to pray for nick.
i'm adding my voice and thoughts to the intercession right now. God is sovereign and He does have a plan - for His glory and our good.
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