If you read my previous post THE RAW TRUTH below, I wanted to bring you up to date. God is good! He has caused me to cross paths with the precious woman working at our local grocery store. For the purposes of this blog post, I would like to call her “Hope”, as that is my prayer for her. May she will be filled with His hope, salvation and truth!
As I wrote a card out for Hope several days ago, I asked the Lord to give me a verse for her. He led me to the verse above…He is the God who sees her. He sees and He cares. In Genesis 16, we see that Hagar was “mistreated” by Sarai (v. 6). I imagine Hagar felt rejected, hurt and alone. We have all been there. He sees, and He meets us. I don’t know Hope’s story in any detail, but I know when she told me she had just gotten divorced, the pain and heartache were expressed on her otherwise beautiful face. God wants Hope to know He sees her. His eyes are on her.
I went to the grocery store again to look for Hope this past Friday, Saturday Sunday. Three days in a row…she wasn’t there. I just knew she’d be there today (Monday) because Joshua and Gabrielle would be with me (they are home from school today for Columbus Day). God wanted to impress these precious moments on their hearts. He wants them to remember how, for God’s glory, we reached out to a hurting woman with His Word and love. He wants them to pray for Hope along with me. This was another way for them to show His love in truth and in action. It’s all about Him.
This morning, I still had the card and little package in my car for Hope. After going to our pediatric dentist with the kids and before heading to Princeton to have lunch with Daddy at work as a special treat, I stopped at the grocery store with Josh and Brie. I briefly told them about my previous encounter with Hope and why I felt the Lord wanted us to stop at the store today to look for her. While walking in the parking lot, this was part of our conversation:
Gabrielle: Mommy, is Hope a Christian?
Me: I don’t know, but we are going to share Jesus with her today.
Joshua: What is in the gift you are giving her, Mom?
Me: A card with a scripture from the Lord for her, a Bible and a “Jesus Calling” devotional.
Joshua: I knew that’s what you would give her, a Bible.
As we got near to entrance of the store, I noticed both of Brie’s shoes were untied. This annoyed me a little because she knew she should have had this done already. When I asked her why her shoes weren’t tied, she said “Mommy, I just wanted you to tie them today to make them extra tight.” The Lord quieted my heart and I knew this momentary delay was part of His perfect timing.
As we entered the store, I saw Hope right away. A customer had just left her line (a la the shoe delay). THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE IN HER LINE. All of the other lines had customers. She stood there open and available! The children and I approached her gently.
Me: Hope?
Hope: Yes?
Me: My name is Sharon. I was in your line the other day and I asked you how you were doing. You weren’t doing real well that day. I just want you to know you have been on my heart and in my prayers since then. This is a little gift for you.
Hope: (looking completely shocked) Oh my! Really?
Me: I have been in the store the last four days looking for you to give this to you.
Hope: You have? (with her hand to her mouth, she starts to cry)
Me: Yes, and I am going to keep praying for you, and I’ll be back to check on you.
Hope: Oh my goodness, you are making me cry.
Me: Can I give you a hug?
Hope: YES!
We hugged and I told her God loved her and that we’d be praying for her. She smiled at Josh and Brie as tears were streaming down her face. She thanked us and we smiled as we waved good-bye and told her we’d be back again.
As we left the store, I just thanked the Lord again that HE ordained my meeting Hope. He does see Her and He does care. Thank you, Lord.
If you think of “Hope”, please pray her broken heart is soft before the Lord. May His love and truth fill and satisfy her. Just as the Lord saw, heard and met the needs of Hagar in Genesis 16 and 21, He sees, hears and wants to meet the needs of dear “Hope”. He is her Redeemer.
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing. And what a great example of Christ’s love for your children to see, feel, touch, and taste.
That makes me nearly cry too – for a God who loves each of us so much that he uses us to show his love to others. That God loves the brokenhearted. And today, I think you made God smile. What could be better than that???
Sharon,
Thank you for the update. I have been praying for “Hope”. I will continue to pray for her!
What a blessing you were today! God was honored as you listened to His soft voice speaking to you today!
I love how you include the children in ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus. You are living the word out and being doers together. Now that is training them up in the way they should go!
Many hugs sweet friend and so excited you are enjoying my favorite book!
Tomorrow is my next give-away and it is my other fav by Andrew Murray!
Love and blessings – Jill
Oh, Sharon…how precious. I am crying as well. Thank you,sweet friend, for following through by going back to Hope and sharing with her. Many of us have the good intentions, but we do not follow through. I will continue to lift her up and pray for her.
I have another Wal-Mart story that is similar to Hope’s. But…I have not followed up on my girl. I’ve had two missed opportunities. I believe that God used your story to encourge me to complete mine. Thank you for being such a great example.
Love ya,
Susan
What a fantastic post! I will pray for Hope and also thank God for using you to show God’s love to her.
What an inspiring story for the rest of us to also be encouraged to show God’s love today!
Thank you!
Sonya
What an example of being His hands and feet in the world. Thank you for letting God touch and hug this woman through you. Wow!
That makes me cry as well! How often do we just pass people and not see their hurt? May God bless you for being His hand extended!
He Is the God who sees! He saw her and HE saw you. What an example to your children of love and service for our Lord.
I feel honored to even be able to read the story with you.
You are His treasure!
Pamela
It’s even better in writing than it was on the phone:) And yes, this event makes me cry, for many reasons but most of all because this woman may find peace, the ultimate peace in Christ Jesus this very way.
Thank you for reminding me that God does “see” us. Beautiful – you are such a beautiful woman, Sharon – God is so good!!!
I’m glad your cherubs were with you, what an example of how God wants us to love on others.
Blessings, friend
Just love you!
Heather
Oh, my. God has really been stretching His mighty hand left and right lately, as He always does, but He’s been opening up my eyes to notice.
I will never stop being completely awestruck at how He perfectly ordains opportunities for His love to touch others.
I am adding Hope to my prayers, as well. She may never know I’m praying for her, but the Spirit will lead me to utter just what I need to on her behalf.
Bless you for allowing Christ’s love to radiate through you to that precious woman. I have a feeling I’m going to be hooked on your blog!!
Blessings,
Lisa
You are a shining example of Jesus with skin on.
You are clearly an encourager – and I want to thank you for your encouraging comments on my blog today (Sunday)! Your spiritual gift of encouragement is shinning!
Thanks so much!
Beautiful story Sharon. I will add Hope’s name to my prayer journal. May the Lord continue to prompt you to reach our to her and others and show them His love. Thank you for your example of obedience.
Blessings,
Joy
I checked in to read an update on your surgery and couldn’t help but read on down. Thank you for your paramount love for Christ, and living in the overflow of that for others! God has been sharing His heart with me as El Roi recently. Your obedience spurs me on! Praying for your recovery and grace in the interim. Love, Samantha