It happens everywhere… It happens at the bank, in the hospital, at
parks, restaurants, in waiting rooms, and at school programs. It’s all types of people in all seasons of
life… nurses, neighbors on lawn mowers, people walking by with dogs, the gas
station attendant, frazzled mom’s dropping their kids off at daycare, and lost
teenagers to name a few.
The list seems to be endless of people that I cross paths with that pour out their hearts and life stories to me in strange places. Last night it was at the grocery store and I was in a hurry.
My son conveniently forgot to
tell me (or maybe I missed it as he says) that he needed me to make “Chicken
Enchiladas” for his Spanish class today.
The only problem was that I didn’t have all of the ingredients I needed. I also had a busy night of errand running ahead of me.
When I entered the grocery
store I was rushing. I was glancing at
my list, marking items off, and flying through aisle by aisle systematically. HE found me in the frozen food aisle. I was looking for popcorn chicken with no
luck. We were the only two spanning this
area of the small store. He was pacing
the floor looking into the glass cases frantically, which was making me nervous. If I could only find the blasted chicken and
get out of there I knew I would feel better.
I rushed hoping to sneak on
to another aisle before he engaged me in conversation. “How are you doing tonight Ma’am?” I was friendly and cordial, but continued to
move down the walkway looking for my lost chicken. I was about to throw in the towel for this long lost item when he spoke again.
“I’m ready for this year to
be over, how bout you? I smiled friendly
not sure what to say when he continued on… “I lost my mom in April and this has
been a hard year. I talked to my mom
every day about EVERYTHING. It’s been really hard.”
I felt a little uncomfortable
for several reasons. One, this man was
alone and I didn’t want him getting too attached to me. Two, I didn’t have my wedding ring on. I haven’t been able to wear it for a few
years now with all of my flare ups with my health. My
hands swell and it won’t fit. I didn’t
want to be advertising availability by accident. Three, this man was pouring out his heart and
sharing his hurt with a stranger in the frozen food aisle…why did he choose ME?
It was another divine
appointment as I call them. A meeting of
sorts set up by God. I was
unprepared. I didn’t engage him
completely in conversation about God, but I feel I conveyed God’s love through
my responses.
I responded to the man with
“Wow, it must be hard especially with the holidays coming up.” He said, “Yeah, Mother’s Day was really bad,
but it’s getting better now since I moved here… my kids are really helping me a
lot.” I left him with this… it wasn’t
anything super spiritual or fancy. “Take
this holiday season to focus on your kids and I’m sure that will help a lot.”
Maybe I could have said
more. It was an on the spot, spur the
moment meeting, and I wasn’t studied up (not that I needed to study or I do
before I meet with people). Despite my
shortcomings, I believe God moved. God
spoke peace, hope, and love through imperfect ME.
I made a commitment to God a
long time ago. I offered myself to Him
as a tool to reach others however He desired to use me. I am available, ready, and willing. I consider myself to be on call for God. When He needs me to be an instrument to show
His love to others, I want to be there.
Some times I feel ready and
other times I miss the moment. I try to
walk spiritually aware each day to the whispers of the Holy Spirit directing
me. My goal is to be a light for God daily reflecting His love to others no
matter where I am or what I am doing.
A verse comes to mind that
reminds me of this…
“In the same way, you
should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things
you do and will praise your Father in heaven”
Matthew 5:16 (NCV)
I love how the Message
version describes this…
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light,
bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re
going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you
light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
I’m putting
you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light
stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to
others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in
heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16
I love the descriptive words used here… “We are lights to bring
out the God-colors in the world”… “We are going public with this…” We are
“light bearers” and “light stands” meant to SHINE! Love it!
That’s exactly what I want to be for God.
As I am doing my best to
shine brightly for God, you know what? These
“divine appointments” started happening all the time. It still catches me off guard and surprises
me. Some how these people know “I”
care. It’s amazing to watch God work
right before my eyes. It boggles my
mind. I don’t use fancy words or pour on
the scripture… my approach is totally relational. It’s just ME being me… hang ups and all and
some how God uses my imperfections to reflect His love to others. He is very creative!
I don’t think you have to be
a scholar, go to Bible College
You don’t have to do anything
fancy… just let Him SHINE through you and He will do the rest. You will be
amazed at what God can do through a willing vessel. Ready, set, go shine brightly for Him and
watch Him work in remarkable ways.
Living to leave a legacy,
Julie
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