Today was an ordinary day, no different than most yesterdays of my life.
While walking thru the parking lot of my favorite store, I always pray these same words as I do before entering any other shopping center;
“Lord, if there’s a person I need to see in this store, let our paths cross.”
Most days while shopping, it’s just me, myself and I in the store.
Yet occasionally, God orchestrates those chance meetings and encounters down the aisles as we shop, a God who loves an available heart, and willingness to be used…
Ministering to…
An old friend I hadn’t seen in years, sharing her intimate details of a journey with cancer.
Lending an arm of comfort…
To a woman I recognized from high school, who sadly shared her husband had recently passed away.
Bringing joy to myself…
While hearing my granddaughters laughing one isle over, as my daughter shops for Christmas.
The people are there, pushing grocery carts of burdens or cares of this life down the aisles of Walmart or Hobby Lobby, all needing a touch from God’s heart if we are willing to notice them.
Sometimes though, we are meant to see others for our good…
That’s why I remember in all things to pray before taking one step into the store or especially when caught in a time crunch to get in and get out…
“Lord, if there’s a person I need to see in this store, let our paths cross.”
She didn’t see me as I passed her browsing the seasonal isle that morning.
I could have continued to shop, unsure if this woman remembered me from thirty-nine years ago, recalling I’ve embarrassed myself (and my husband) in many instances when others couldn’t recollect.
But I remembered Marilyn and the memories we shared, both brand new mothers in the hospital after giving birth to our newborn sons.
Over the years, our lives had intersected thru church, in the fabric and canning departments, as she loved God and life the old fashioned way thru sewing and preparing food from scratch as I did.
We made a connection thirty-nine years ago; so I made a U-Turn in the seasonal aisle of Hobby Lobby to greet a familiar face.
Taking a chance, I said hello to Marilyn as dear friends do, whose bright smile remembered and took us back to those hospital rooms where we embraced motherhood for the very first time.
After almost four decades ago and both of us now in our sixties, we questioned in Hobby Lobby the years gone by since our sons entered our world.
Where did the time go?
Her John and my Jake; now grown men with families of their own.
Going backwards as two first time mothers, both now grandmothers, capturing and sharing snapshots of each other’s lives these last thirty-nine years; the secret passage of time while unaware; behind your back.
You don’t notice quite frankly, at least I didn’t; how time passes by so quickly when half asleep with young children and their midnight feedings, diapers, teething and caring for the demands of the others in the house.
Even when the children are growing out of their pull-ups and coming into their personalities, giving us hints of who God made them to be, time is sneaking out behind our backs and into the history books of our family.
Welcoming new days and bright beginnings, we seldom look behind our backs at the distance those paths have taken us from the maiden steps where our journey began.
You kiss each day with thankfulness for what God has entrusted into your care.
You lead those into their destinies with God as your tour guide.
When you inventory what God has given and sense the rustling of the family nest…
You look behind your back and wonder…
“Where has all the time gone?”
You pray the family ties of love are strong and tight enough to weather the fiercest storms when they come…and they will.
Yet are confident as you determine…
Family is a circle of strength…
Founded on faith…
Joined in love…
Kept forever by God…
Together forever.
Yes, time is a ship whose itinerary stops for no one and quickly passes in the night.
Grandchildren are sprouting taller than a field of corn at harvest. Hardworking family members retire and enjoy the fruits of their labors while some are too busy to notice.
Chairs around the table which seat your favorite faces today, will find themselves empty before you had a chance to really enjoy who they were in your life.
Funerals of good-byes have been overwhelming this past year. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.
Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day many bring.
Proverbs 27:1 NIV
Today is all we have to celebrate; to enjoy; embracing and taking nothing for granted.
Doing so as a family…
Joined in love…
Kept forever by God…
Together forever.
