After missing lunch ... and leaving about 2 1/2 hours later than I had planned, I had to make a stop at the store. I very rarely run in this grocery store, but it was on the way home and I needed to stop next door at Barnes and Noble, so I dashed in for a few items, trying to look better than I thought I did.
As I checked out, the bagger, Michael, struck up a conversation, "What's new?" I thought, hmmmm, that's a strange question, how do I answer ... so I smiled and said, "Well, the sun's finally shining, I'd say that's new ..." He agreed and then said, "How's your family? hmmmmm ... this is strange because we've been struggling this week with my grandfather still in the hospital, but he doesn't know this ... and he doesn't know me ... but I am beginning to think that maybe he thinks he does. So I smile again and reply, "They are doing good. What about you?" We talk a bit more about the sun and the day and then I go to push my cart out and he says, "Let me do that. I need to get out of here sometimes, especially with my favorite customers." Hmmmmm ... I've never seen him before in my LIFE!
Michael kind of limps his way to the door and we head out when he says, "You do a great job letting your light shine." I was speechless ... and then I teared up again ... "Well, not always, I replied, but it's nice to be reminded." "Well, you don't have to be perfect at it, but I know you're a Christian and I can tell because of your light." By this time, tears are streaming down from behind my sunglasses ... "Michael, thank you for sharing that with me ..." By now we are at my car and putting my three little bags in back when he looks at me and says, "Is there something I can pray for for you? Jesus told us to pray for one another ... I would like to pray for you ..." I was dumbfounded and mumbled something about having a bad day ... he said, "Don't you let Satan rob your joy. God is using you and Satan wants to rob your joy. You keep shining your light and I'm going to pray for you..." He went on to tell me about how God had helped him overcome difficulties from his CP ... that God let him have a love for weight training that had kept him from being wheelchair bound. It was less than five minutes ... but it made all the difference in my day and my life. I think God sent me an angel in the form of a bagger at Publix named Michael.
And if that wasn't enough ... the God of the universe knew what today would hold and has held my heart in the midst of it. I opened my mailbox when I got home to find this ...
from a childhood friend I haven't seen in 25+ years whose husband is a Sonic operator and who reads my facebook statuses about Happy Hours. Yep, those might be homemade cookies and about 50 free route 44 gift certs!
I leave for Mexico in less than 36 hours with a team I feel ill-equipped to lead. But the God who provided for me today is the God who is leading this trip and I am trusting HIM for what I cannot do.
376. cookies and gift certificates from a longlost friend
377. A Publix guy named Michael who spoke truth into a life he didn't know was broken
378. God's plans are for my good
379. The Lord will fight for me ... I need only be still
380. mowing the grass in a sweatshirt ... and having enough sun to mow it before Mexico
381. comfort food for dinner
382. Granddad had a better day!
383. I have a great family
384. God is much, much bigger than me!
385. sunglasses
2 comments:
As I have tears in my eyes and goosebumps, I am praising the Lord for caring about not only the big things, but also the frustrating no matter how big or small! Praise him for Michael! Love you and I cannot wait to hear how he uses such a great woman of God this next week!!
This may be out of context... but I think this next verse means you need to drink a lot of dc and eat those yummy cookies! LOVE YOU!
Nehemiah 8:9-12
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. (NIV)
WOW Karen! This is amazing... quite encouraging to read as I sit here with my swollen mama... thanks for sharing. We'll be praying for you. You are a light!! Our sweet God sent you a reminder today. I love you!
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