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.