A Perfect Stranger

Hey y’all! I wanted to write about an experience I had yesterday with the sweetest lady that really made me think about life and the important things in life. Here goes…

The kids and I made a trip to the local Walmart for a few items and once we had everything we came for, we headed toward the check out area. Of course, my two-year-old was running around getting into everything and the lady behind me said, “He is the cutest thing.” I politely said, “thanks” and wanted to continue toward the checkout line but she wasn’t done talking. She preceded to tell me about her broken heart. Mind you, she is a complete stranger that I’ve never met. I understood her broken heart to a degree but I couldn’t fully understand what it’s like to lose a child. She continued to tell me about his life and the way it was taken from him. She was crying, I was crying and we were hugging each other in the middle of a Walmart aisle. My heart broke for her. I talked with her and just wanted to be a listening ear and to encourage her. All I wanted to do was speak life into this precious soul anyway I could. We talked for a good 30 minutes but it was the best part of my day. She apologized and thanked me in the same sentence but I told her that I absolutely loved meeting and talking with her. We finally exchanged our names, yes, at the end of our conversation. Hey, when it’s a divine appointment, it’s divine.  I am so glad that she approached me. Why did she? I am not really sure. Maybe because I looked as if I wasn’t in a hurry and on a Walmart mission? I didn’t have anything else to do for the day. 

As I was heading home, I was trying to contemplate the meaning of this encounter and the reasoning behind it. She clearly needed a listening ear from someone who would just listen and understand but what about me? What’s the purpose of this meeting for me?

My biggest take away was how her faith has remained after having a child taken from her. It is beyond me but I know the only way is Jesus. She was hanging on even on the days she didn’t want to. I admire her.

The most important take away for me was the reminder to slow down. Slow down so that you enjoy the moments of your two-year-old terrorizing Walmart, someone may think it’s cute! They do grow up fast and life is like a vapor. 

Slow down in case someone needs you. Someone may need exactly what you have to offer even if you don’t feel like you have anything to offer. It may be a hug or even a smile. It could be a 30-minute crying session in Walmart but whatever it is, don’t be too busy to let it pass you by. Are you missing moments like this? How many have I missed because my eyes were not open? I honestly think it would have been a lot more if my family hasn’t moved to the holler.

How fast are you running through life? When was the last time you truly stopped and took a look around and experienced the little moments in life? Are you too busy? Perhaps you are but is this what God wants for you? Think about it. 

Xoxo,

Hannah B.