While I traveled last week, it seemed God had me on assignment for much more than a bit of time away from home.
I encountered 3 beautiful women with children who needed different things, but things God had given me in copious measures.
The first one had already extended kindness to me, and when she realized she had a need, she reached out to me. As I considered the request, I somehow knew there was more there and when I stopped to talk, God turned it into so much more. It became an opportunity to uplift and encourage a woman and mom, while still practically taking care of the need she had.
The second one, was the very next two days. A mom had traveled with her son, and was awaiting her husband’s arrival. As her son looked about the same age as my daughter, and my daughter is always looking for a playmate, they became fast friends. I observed much of the first day, keeping the conversation relatively light. I also rarely share what I do professionally or that I’m a faith writer. However, when I did share, the mom had all kinds of questions, even allowing me the opportunity to share and discuss some things that I had observed about her and her son that I would ordinarily never share with a stranger. God showed up again. She graciously received the information.
While at the airport lounge waiting to board my flight, a single mom came in carrying her daughter. After a few moments, she asked if I could watch her daughter. She said I had a kind face, and that her daughter wanted something so she would have to go back to the main terminal. I looked at the time and told her I had about 20 minutes before my flight would be called. She said she’d be back. She came back a moment later, thanked me and said she’d gotten anxious and decided she was going to carry her daughter. They were back in a few minutes. I told her that I’d been willing, but had the time constraints. She said she knew. She started sharing how difficult it was to travel solo with a child (something I knew well and have mastered throughout the years). I started affirming her and telling her her daughter won’t always be little – pointing to my now older daughter, sitting and entertaining herself. I continued to encourage her and reminded her to give herself grace. She said multiple times ‘you don’t know how much I needed to hear those words’.. I smiled and went to board my flight. I didn’t, but God sure did know.
Friends, sometimes it takes pausing just for a little bit to see or hear of the need around you. And sometimes, it’s about extending grace and kindness, which often doesn’t cost much. Let’s continue to be grace filled people, and extending that same grace to ourselves as well.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that no matter where in the world our feet may roam, that you can still use us. Help us to be open to being used in the capacity that you see fit.