Jesus At the Grocery Store
I’m inviting you to look and listen, to pay attention… and to share the places you’re seeing Jesus right now! I’ve heard from some of you already, which is truly encouraging. I wanted to share with you one story right now.
Karen Jingleski caught me in worship on Sunday. She said she had a few Jesus sightings to share, so she called, set up a time, and sat down to share this story.
A few weeks ago, she was feeling under the weather. It persisted for longer than she liked and she sought some help and some relief. After several days, not fully back to normal, but feeling a little better – she ventured out to Giant Eagle. On her way back to her car, she was feeling weak and tired, and second-guessing whether it was worth it to venture out that day. Just as she was two steps from getting back to her car, another pulled up, the window rolled down, and a woman with blonde hair asked, “Are you ok? Do you need any help?”
Karen explained to me afterward, that she knew immediately that if she’d responded with “Yes…” that the woman would have driven her home, to the hospital or wherever. That the kindness in her face, the empathy in her voice, that spirit and demeanor of her presence was just so comforting. It was exactly what she needed. And she knew she’d be ok.
Being only an arm’s length from her car, she declined the help, but deeply appreciated the gesture. She was grateful that this woman was paying attention, and willing to lend a hand. It was enough to offer. That simple gesture permeated God’s love, God’s care, God’s provision and protection in a moment when Karen was teetering a bit.
As she told me this story, I couldn’t help but think about the beauty of both sides of that. This unknown blonde angel (unknown to Karen, but fully known to God) was looking, noticing, paying attention to the world and the people around her. It’s what allowed her to offer Karen assistance. At the same time, Karen was paying attention to God enough to recognize that a simple gesture like that was a reassurance of God’s care and protection. If she’d needed more than that, she knew it was available. In these moments, she didn’t need a ride, a hand, a meal or anything tangible beyond the kind words and open heart.
I’ll be so bold as to say that both saw Jesus in each other!
How about you? Where are you seeing Jesus today? Where did you see Jesus last week?
I got a couple of snowy pictures shared with me from the Grand Canyon – do you see Jesus there? I got a call about a pending financial gift to Pine Springs Camp – do you see Jesus there? I was on a Zoom conference for our upcoming Dominican Republic Mission Team in October – I think I’ll see Jesus there!
This Sunday, I’m going to talk about seeing Jesus, and God’s provision, through a book of fiction. CS Lewis’ The Chronicles of Naria is low-hanging-fruit, but the 5th Book, The Horse and His Boy still makes me cry, so I’ll share some of it with you on Sunday! It’s a short read, so if you want to tackle it this week/end, you’ve got time. If not… here’s your spoiler warning for a book that’s 72yrs old, LOL!
Welcoming You to Grow in Jesus – one sighting at a time,
Pastor Don