My hands were freezing as I pushed my groceries across the Walmart parking lot. I noticed a woman standing by the cart-return, where I was parked. She wore the blue store uniform and was obviously cold. While loading my bags in the trunk, I was getting curious and looked around, trying to figure out what was keeping her in this miserably freezing weather without a coat.
“Are you OK?”, I asked.
She looked at me and said, “Yeah, just cold.”
I realized she was watching the car next to us. A man in his eighties, maybe nineties, was occupying the passenger seat. His eyes were sad and his head nervously moving back and forth.
“I saw him wandering in the parking lot. He was lost and I helped him get back in his car. I think he has dementia. I am just waiting for someone to return for him.” the woman said.
The cold metal of my cart clanked as it slid into the other carts in the stall. My thoughts were suddenly jostled. Before getting my groceries, I had prayed for God to give me a meaningful encounter, show me someone I could encourage or share Jesus with. I had not expected for someone to inspire me.
“Thank you for getting cold to keep a stranger warm!” I said as tears started to blur my vision.
I often complain about the cooling, spiritual temperatures in our culture. I fear and fret. I wonder how we can turn it around. I pray for revival, for God to move in mighty ways, but rarely am I willing to get uncomfortable.
“God, please help me to be more like this woman.
Make me more willing to become uncomfortable
for others’ sake – and ultimately for You.
I know You won’t think less of me if I don’t.
But God,
maybe others think more of You if I do
… and that would be very good!”
~
What does it profit, my brethren,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can faith save him?
If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
and one of you says to them,
“Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,”
but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body,
what does it profit?
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-26
What a beautiful prayer to go along with this story That others see more of Jesus in and through us. Your post is a wonderful reminder that God takes the little choices we make and turns them into big blessings for others. The older man AND you were both blessed by the employees (seemingly) little choice.
Thanks for your kind comment, Debbie. I pray we will obediently respond to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. How well He knows how to bless His children 🙂 … Glad we crossed (cyber) paths!
We only see the awful on the evening news. No one stops to document what is good, lovely, excellent or praiseworthy – except you, in this instance! 🙂 You had a special part in the silent invisible thread of kindness that was unfolding in that ordinary parking lot. May we all be open and responsive to our world and God’s good leading each and every day!
Maybe it’s not as complicated as we think it is. Yes, let’s keep our eyes open to what we can do and say to lift others up. Thank you for stopping in and blessing me with your words of encouragement.
I’m thinking that woman is thanking God for YOU, Heidi. You stopped to encourage her. The tears in your eyes surely spoke volumes of appreciation, caring, and love to her. I think God used each of you to minister to the other!
Thank you, Nancy for reading. I wonder how many things I miss in the day? May we become more aware through the Holy Spirit. Blessings to you, friend!
Thanks for sharing this Heidi. What a precious story.
Thank you Sue. Life is precious… blessings to you, sweet friend!
What a wonderful, inspiring story, Heidi! I love your heart!
Thanks for stopping in, Rene … blessings to you!
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As usual, thanks Heidi for these inspirational words. They really moved me. They reminded me of what I should be praying before I leave home. Thank you for your caring heart. Sincerely Jacquie Whyte. jacquelinewhyte51@gmail.com
Thank you for stopping in and for reading!
What a great story, Heidi. Thank you for sharing this.
I appreciate your words of encouragement, Bill.
Godd stuff, Heidi!
Thank you, Hammond … God is good!
I love this….what an inspiring story!
God is at work all around us! Thanks for reading, Arlene
A beautiful story and prayer Heidi … pulls at the heartstrings.
We serve a beautiful God, who loves to show us where He is working! … Thanks for your kind words, Liana!
Thank you, Heidi. This brought tears to my eyes and your prayer was so perfect. Praying it too. God bless!
Every time I think about the man, tears come to my eyes … But then I remember, how God is still at work all around us. We just need to keep seeking Him. Thank you, Debbie!