Sometimes the raw truth takes your breath away. Sometimes it hurts. Yesterday, the raw truth did both of these things to me.

As I was going through the check-out line at our local grocery store, the cashier said “Hello”. I returned a friendly greeting and then asked her, “How are you doing today?” Her response was one I had never gotten before. She said, “I just got a divorce. You’ll have to ask me how I am doing another time.”

In a bit of shock at her gut-level honest answer, my jaw dropped for a moment. I lost my breath and a lump formed in my throat. I felt tears pooling up in my eyes and just tried to keep it together. I didn’t know what to say, and she kept her head down as to not make eye contact.

As I bagged my groceries, I just prayed for her. I prayed God would give me something to say. There was really nothing to say at that moment. I just prayed for her. I wanted God to touch and heal her heart that very moment. If I was reacting this way to the heartache of a stranger, how must her heart be broken to pieces at the personal devastation in her life.

We finished our transaction all too quickly. As she handed me my receipt, I looked at her face hoping she would lock eyes. She didn’t. I used her name that I saw her name tag and politely thanked her. I was hoping that somehow the intentional soft tone of my voice and my sincerity would speak volumes of God’s love to her. I left the store feeling tugs on my heart.

As soon as I got outside the walls of the grocery store, I reached for my cell phone and called Jim and told him about the brief encounter I just had. My heart ached for this woman and I just let the tears flow as my husband compassionately listened. I told him again how much I loved him and how much I appreciated him. While I do this on a regular basis, today it seemed even more important.

I remember the woman’s name. I remember her words. I feel the heartache. My heart is still praying for her. As the Lord leads, I’ll bring her a card and a book that will comfort her with His words. I know God put me in that check-out lane yesterday. She is on my heart. I am asking God to keep her on my heart and to speak to my heart about how to show her His love in action.

May His redemption, salvation, new life and perfect love satisfy and fill her heart.

The raw truth. How are you? Pour your heart out to Him. He is listening. He hears. He knows your heart. Perhaps read the first three chapters of 1 Samuel and see how God answered the prayers of Hannah, who poured her soul out to Him.