Kerry Pardue’s Reflection

When God Puts Someone in Your Path

The day began as a do-nothing kind of day.

I have to admit I have become a bit laid back most days – well, I have to be honest, a bit lazy.  Sometimes in my unscheduled days, time and hours I do find myself at a store.  I do have a mission to buy something we need like eggs, bread, milk, Coke Zero, popsicles, and occasionally a bag of M&Ms, or a Milky Way candy bar.  The last two items have somehow magically jumped off of the shelf and into my basket.  Mind you, I don’t complain, I justify the need for them.  I do put forth amazing arguments as to why I need them.  I won’t bore you with the details because some of you have the same arguments. I mean, you should have been on the debate team in school, you are that good.

I usually say hello or good morning to my fellow shoppers. My wife hates that part, she says I am like a Chatty Cathy doll.  The conversations are enjoyable, especially when someone else like me talks back.  I make a special effort to talk to veterans, especially the ones with military hats on.  I always tell them WELCOME HOME and shake their hands.

On this particular day, I walked into Safeway and started to get a cart.  I noticed a gentleman standing facing the wall.  Then I heard him softly crying.  Not sure why I did what I did next but I put my hand on his shoulder and asked if he were okay.  For me, this moment became a God moment.  He then told me that he came from Boston to be here for the birth of his granddaughter, but the birth did not go well.  She had a difficult time breathing on her own and was in the infant ICU hooked up to a respirator.  This was his first grandchild, and he was very afraid that she would not make it.

I found myself asking him if he would let me pray for him, his granddaughter, and family.  He turned and faced me, and I put both of my hands on his shoulders.  I can’t remember the prayer I prayed. All I know, they were not my words, but I kind of believe  it was the Holy Spirit that came out of my mouth.

After I prayed with him, he gave me a hug and said thank you. He told me that he felt that God let me cross his path and reach out to him.   He asked for my address so that he could let me know how things were going.  About two weeks later, I received a letter from him thanking me again for reaching out to him and praying for him, and he reported the grandchild was home and all was well.

None of us know when God is going to put someone in our path. I am thankful for this event as it helped me to understand more of just how much God loves us.  I hope you, my Praise and Worship family, will have these kinds of moments in the future.

Don’t forget to get the M&Ms!