My sweet husband got up 20 minutes earlier than me today in order to help load our luggage and prepare lunch to take as we traveled. We went to some morning training sessions and hit the road around lunchtime. I was excited to eat my specially prepared meal, but realized we were in need of some water and forks :) We pulled into a local Panera and Stephen decided that he’d get out and go inside. I stayed behind and waited in the car. All of a sudden, I get the urge to go look in the back of our car. I’m still not sure why I did this, but that was what I felt to do. As I open the back of my SUV and start digging around our bag of snacks, I saw a few people walking my way. On one quick glance, I can tell that one of these individuals is mentally handicapped. I continued to look through my things and felt someone walk past me and I saw that she was the driver. The other 3 in the group walked slower than she and I could tell they all had some handicaps. I began short conversation with the driver and immediately had the attention of the whole group. One sweet girl hugged me intensely and all I had said was, “Hi!”. The driver said to this girl, “Personal space…she needs her personal space.” To which I replied, “Oh no, she’s fine”. I continued conversation and found out this woman who’d embraced me was named Lynn. As conversation progressed I saw a very large thick book in her hands with a lion on the spine. I said, “What is that book you’re reading?” To which when she moved her hand I read, “Africa”. I smiled as she told me the title and exclaimed her joy about how much she loved Africa. My heart leapt and I shared how my husband and I are missionaries to Africa. She got so excited and reiterated her love for Africa. It was the neatest thing in the world to her that we had been there.
Stephen returned to our car and I could tell the others in the group were making their way into their car, so we parted ways. In getting back into the car, my heart was so happy. How neat of God to cause a “detour” in our day to make this one girl’s day.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make our day. For me, today it is sitting outside writing this blog after eating my favorite fro-yo (shameless plug for Yolotti). Some other days it’s a moment of dancing in the kitchen with my husband, sharing laughter with friends, or a cup of good coffee. What is so great is that God uses me to be a part of making other people’s days. Most people just need to know that someone loves and cares about them. God chooses us to be instrumental in bringing His love and joy as we’re open to being His vessels.
The principle for today is: Be intentional to pursue people!!
The kingdom of God is made up of people. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ who died so that people could be in right standing with God. People are at the heartbeat of this beautiful Savior and He freely shares His heart for others to those who are willing to ask for it. I know that days are busy and I realize there are a lot of personal things we have to take care of. I also know that it can be the smallest amount of time and energy that we yield ourself to His Holy Spirit that can impact someone else’s life for eternity.
I’m certainly not saying that my Africa comment changed someone’s life today, but this precious girl reminded me again of how important it is to pursue people. More times than not, as I take time interact with people, I walk away with my life greatly enhanced. Today, there was a stranger who embraced me with great love and acceptance immediately upon meeting me. She shared her heart with me for Africa and made me realize that maybe we weren’t so different after all. Maybe our ways of life contrast one another greatly, but there is a God with the same amount of love in His heart for both of us and He planted Africa in both of our hearts.
*Look for someone to compliment today.
*Be aware that everyone is human and you never know why someone is having a bad day.