I was having a bit of a bumpy morning, overwhelmed with projects, and house 'stuff' and phone calls and and and. I was called into my bosses office who shared some very kind words with me in private. It was poor timing I though when beckoned in, but who am I to make complaint. The words which were shared were heartfelt, encouraging and so greatly appreciated ~ I was moved by the time that was set aside for me, without interruption - which is something that I rarely find at work .... or home. It wasn't his self seeking or wanting to "butter me up". It was having something kind to say and making time to say it. I was beyond words grateful and with eyes a bit leaking shared so. I am not someone who needs "atta girl", but I am someone who is moved deeply when someone shares in such a way that goes above and beyond. I didn't receive a trophy, award, flowers, raise or plaque for the wall ~ I received something much more valuable, KINDNESS in ENCOURAGEMENT.
Back to the light! I am stopped and thinking about the earlier conversations, and I paused to say a prayer of thanks for the encouragement and the kindness of not only the words, but the action in setting aside uninterrupted time just for me. This is a big deal sometimes in my world that reels by so quickly I feel like I'm spinning sometimes. I am saying thank you and I look up and into my rearview mirror. Behind me is a lady who is clearly upset, looking stressed and frustrated all in the same moment. Her body language spoke that she had a burden to bare and her face looked as though it were greater than she could handle in the moment.
(Yes! All of this in a look back while at the light).
I watched her for a moment, before taking a deep breath and asking God to bless her. To be with her, to comfort her, to lift her burden, to help her to seek provisions which would help her with her situation (whatever it may be). I asked God to lay His kind hands upon her, to embrace her, to allow her to feel Him there with her, to go with her from this light through the rest of her day. I asked for God to bring opportunity for someone to share encouragement and support to her. I asked God bless her and love her. As I pulled through the light, I looked back and thought to myself, if she is going to the same parking lot I am, I will share with her at that light, I prayed for you. She did not. She zipped on by as I turned into where I was going.
This stranger, she consumed me much of the afternoon, evening and even this morning. I am still prayerful for her. The look on her face, I've had that look. I know when the world is heavy and you feel it closing in on you. I know that look of life being too much and "Dear Lord please let something good or happy come my way today". I know that look of how do I make the ends meet, where do I find the time, how am I going to manage and why doesn't he understand me.
This morning as I seek encouragement for this wonderfully made woman who I have absolutely no story for or information on, I ask God bless her today. That today when I look up and see her in my rearview mirror, may she be filled with joy and self value and gladness and may she have the comfort of Christ. And may her burden be lighter, or not at all. May she be blessed in such a way, that when she glances up and looks in the mirror she see a woman who is VALUED & LOVED & WORTHY OF BLESSINGS.