You never know how far a few encouraging words can go.
I’ve been fighting a cold this past week. Each night I would go to bed hoping that tomorrow I would feel better. Each day, I woke up feeling a little worse. Yesterday, when I awoke, it took everything I had to get out of the bed as my throat and head battled over which would hurt worse.
My normally peaceful morning was also marred by an argument with my fifteen-year-old, daughter. I dropped her off at school after a long, silent ride and went home and fell back into bed for a little while.
I had so many things to do and of course, we were out of some essential groceries, like milk. I prayed that God would sustain me through the day. I prayed that He would show me His face. After I dragged myself up again and into the shower, I continued to pray for some sign of encouragement. Could He hear me? Was He listening?
I received an apology text from my daughter. She told me she just wasn’t “feelin’ it today.” Well, that made two of us. I told her it was no biggie. I try to model quick forgiveness for her, the best I can. That little exchange did my heart good, even though my head was still pounding.
When I got on the road, there was construction everywhere, stop and go. When I got to Sam’s Club, there were only two lines open with six people in each line. Sigh. When I got to Publix, things were looking up. I was almost done with my list, when I picked up a bottle of laundry detergent by the lid and it dropped and spilled, on the floor, on me, on the bottle itself. What a mess.
I couldn’t leave the mess. I told an employee about the floor, so no one would fall, and picked up the bottle and put it in my cart. It only seemed fair. Who would want to buy it? My hands were covered in the detergent when I went to check out. I explained to the cashier what had happened and asked for a paper towel. He insisted on getting me a new bottle and he gave me a wet wipe. I really do love that store.
Checking out in front of me was a couple from our last church. She heard the whole thing and before I knew it, she had come back around and was standing behind me. I’ve always had great admiration for this woman. I can see Jesus when I see her. She’s a tiny lady, but packed with power. There were many times over the years, when she went out of her way to thank me for my service to the kids or youth in the church. It was a really difficult decision for us, when we decided to leave, but I am still amazed at how kind everyone was.
Well, here we were at Publix; I was a mess inside and out at the moment, and she was a picture of peace and encouragement. She told me that she just wanted me to know how much she missed me and my family. She told me she understood our reasons and respected them, but just wanted me to know that we were missed and loved.
I was fighting tears at this point. I have always believed if you look for God in the world around you, He will show His face in often unlikely places. I desperately needed an extra helping of grace and encouragement and I asked. Once again, He provided, this time through a darling woman at the grocery store.
You never know the power of a little encouragement or a kind word. I always try to be the face of Christ when I leave my house, but today I got to see the face of Christ. Let me tell you; it was beautiful.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂