FW: People are hurting.

I had a CRAZY experience at the store last night. When I arrived at the store I sat in the parking lot for a bit finishing up a phone call. I had opened my door preparing to get out but since there were no cars beside me I lingered with my door open and continued on with my phone conversation. As soon as I noticed a car wanting to pull into the space next to me I shut my door and gave a polite wave to say "sorry my door was open taking up this space."  I looked into the car that had just pulled in and smiled at the woman and her son who were now my parking lot "neighbors." I finished my phone call and went into the store.
As I entered the store I was greeted by this woman and her son. At first I thought it was a friendly greeting when she smiled at me and said,  "I saw you out in the parking lot." It wasn't until her next sentence that I realized I had done something to offend this woman. She proceeded to  "GO OFF" on me about something I was truly CLUELESS  about. As she YELLED at me in front of everyone in the store, I sought to understand why she was soooo upset. After being completely taken off guard,  I said in reply to her yelling, "Pardon me?" trying to say it in the correct tone of truly seeking understanding and not wanting to sound defensive. I was met with the response of "OH, SO YOUR DEAF NOW TOO. UGHHHH! I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU. GET A HEARING AID LADY." As she walked away continuing to mumble out loud something I still couldn't really understand, I stood there feeling like I had just been punched in the gut and  thus began the  conversation with my "Father" uttering in my heart the words, "Ouch, God. That hurt."
As I strolled through the store (The "$ store " on Westnedge to give those of you in this area a mental picture) I took many deep breathes, prayed many prayers for both the woman and myself, and let the sting of the encounter be healed by many of His truths. As I went from aisle to aisle I continued seeing the son of this woman. Every time I would turn the corner and he would catch a glimpse of me he would run away. He was probably about 9 years old. I wondered how embarrassed he felt for the behavior of his mom and pondered how many times he had experienced situations like this causing him to want to run and hide from the people his mom had hurt. I felt sad for him. After seeing him for the 3rd time I tried to whisper words of peace to him letting him know it was okay and I wasn't angry. He just ran away again. I was reminded of how much our silly behavior affects those we love. I immediately cried out to God  for more wisdom (in my heart of course. That would be VERY EMBARRASSING to have a mom that cried out out loud to God in the middle of the store. I at least have a little wisdom) that I may be a blessing to my children, not an embarrassment.  I felt very sad for him.
I was in that store for quite a while trying to find just the right things for my daughter, Reese's, 4th "Princess" birthday  coming up. After wondering how to handle this situation and questioning God whether or not I should approach this woman again and after having been in the store for at least 45 minutes now continuing to catch glimpses of her, I decided I would apologize for whatever I did that offended her.  She clearly had not been talking to God and didn't seem to be any more "cooled off". I finally figured out that my offense was "gawking at her" when I had looked into her car. She went on to say some more hurtful words as the Spirit of God roused within me  great compassion for this woman knowing that there must be some great wounds in her soul. After walking away from me clearly exasperated, she came back to me and said, "And for your information, I had to come in here tonight and tell a friend of mine someone she loves is dying of cancer." Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. There it is.  There is the possible (if not just one) source of all this anger. After telling her I was sooo sorry for her pain I decided it was time to check out.
As the sales clerk was scanning my items, I commented on the bird candle holder that was being rung up. I told her how I loved the little candle holder because it reminded me of God's words that say "Are we not worth more than many birds." (Matthew 10:30). She began to cry telling me how it was her daughter's boyfriend who died in the major car wreck of last week and how a few months ago they found her brother- in -laws remains  out on a highway nearby. As I listened to her share her pain and watched as the tears flowed freely from her eyes (there was no one behind me in line) I thought to myself and spoke to God,  "Oh God- there is soo much pain in the souls I encounter......sooo much hurt."
May I encourage us all to be very alert to every soul we encounter. We have NO idea what is going on in their world and why they act the way they do. May we be women who seek to look past the outward apperance of things, and wait on God to reveal the deeper things of the heart. May He shower us with His strength and the fruit of His Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,  faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is a world out there that we will be entering today that desperately needs the touch of our Father.  May we be wise. May we walk closely with him ready to be used by him at any moment bringing his kingdom of  "peace, joy, and righteousness" EVERY WHERE WE GO! Blessings from Bombadil. May your soul be watered and may you water another's soul. Kristy

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