Happy Dance

I had cause a couple of weeks ago to be so disappointed with myself and how I behaved, I had all the seemingly right excuses for my behaviour, but God taught me a lesson and showed me something I needed to see.

I have known a lady for a few years now, not as a personal friend, but a friend just the same. I have been less than a friend to her though as I have allowed my busy life and my lack of patience at times to treat her less than she really deserved as a sister in Christ.

She is well known around town as a very friendly soul, she has an intellectual handicap, but she does still manage to live on her own with her sister living in an apartment in front of hers. She talks loud, she loves to get close to people, like at times almost in ones face, she loves to hug people, loves to kiss one on the cheek and tell them God Bless you. Many people, me included have at times avoided her by ducking into a shop or even quickly leaving a shop if she is in there, because in spite of her being friendly etc, she does take patience and she does take time… She is also not shy in asking for a ride home or to somewhere else she maybe going.

A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday at lunchtime, my husband and I went into a coffee lounge for a coffee and something to eat… I walked in there, took a tray and plates, and then heard a voice call out to me. I turned around and there she was with a beaming smile on her face, she was so happy to see us there. I turned to my husband and said “sorry” all I wanted to do was to have a quiet lunch with him. I was tired and my patience was wearing thin that morning. She got up from her table, rushed over, and gave my husband and me a hug and a kiss… then because it was busy, she went back to her table.

We got our food and paid for it and made our way to a table, as we moved away from the counter, she waved to us and called out “I have made some room at my table for you”

We went and sat with her at her table and she chatted and was so happy… She was telling us that she walks a couple of miles into town each day, leaving home at about 9am each day… Why each day? Because she would rather sit in a coffee bar, eat lunch, and walk around town where people were all around her, even if they were not talking to her, than sit at home alone every day.

I looked at her face and God gave me a good look at the loneliness and pain on her face and in her eyes, she so wanted to belong, to be accepted, to have some contact, to be hugged, she gave so often and yet she received back so little. I felt so ashamed of those times I had been too busy, too intolerant, too important, and too blind to see… God really touched me at that moment and showed me that each time I hug this sister, each time I give her a ride somewhere, each time I make the time to stop and say hi to her, everything I do to her or for her I am doing to HIM. I looked at her dear sweet face with the huge eyes smiling back and I saw Jesus.

How she loves Jesus.

I came home very changed that day in my attitudes and I know that scales dropped from my eyes that day as God dealt with my selfishness.

I saw her again at the weekend and I asked her if she would allow me to take her out for lunch today. She was very excited, said yes! So I picked her up today, and I took her to a nice restaurant. I choose a table right near the door so she could see who came in; she wanted people to see her.

We ordered our food and when it arrived, she would not touch it until I had prayed a blessing over the food…so right in front of the door we prayed a blessing over our food as others looked on. I wanted so much to bless her today, but I was the one that received the biggest blessing of all.

Thank You Lord for showing me the gift and blessing of loving through this dear dear sister…

In His Love

Les