behind every face,
there is a story.
no, many stories.
we do not know
where on the journey
of life, people are.
i was casually browsing
through nordstrom's.
san francisco. with a
special friend. wanting to
look at the costume jewelry.
just for fun.
there was a pair of earrings
similar to ones that someone
gave me and got ruined. on sale
clear down to $14. my face warmed.
$14?! i could manage $14.
a perky, young girl.
maybe in her 20's.
excuse me. is this price correct?
let me ask my manager.
returning, she said you have
even a better deal. the price has
been dropped to $9. usually, we
never sell anything this reduced in
price, but the manager said you can
have them. $9.
my eyes were large.
heart beating.
i don't know if you are a
spiritual person, but i know God
brought me straight to you. you
were the sales girl that approached
us.
suddenly,
her visual look turned cold.
only her eyes betrayed her.
i was not deterred.
God didn't send me to you to
tell you to change. to shape
you up. chastise you. almost
whispering, i said, oh, no!
Jesus wants me to tell you
that He loves you and REALLY
cares. i don't know what is
happening in your private life,
but Jesus sent me to say it
will be alright. He is working
on it.
tears began to gather
in the corners of her eyes.
her face softened.
an ordinary day.
a sales' clerk at nordstrom's.
a giant God of the entire universe.
His vast love and compassion.
don't preach.
give people hope.
touch them where they
are. plant a seed of love
where it can sprout. let the
world know they REALLY
matter to God. somehow,
bring Jesus to their level.
it is ALL about love.
sometimes,
it is just a warm smile.
telling someone they are
beautiful. a hug. people
are starved for connection,
fragile wonder.
vast open sky.
breeze on our skin.
glorious world.
amazing, glorious God.
a song across the meadows.
Jesus lives,
and that is EVERYTHING.
amen.
