Inspirational Awakening

"Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to a stranger (in the brotherhood-being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously), for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it." Heb. 13:2 (Amplified)

Recently while my husband was in the hospital recooperating from an infection, I rounded the corner and met up with an elderly woman walking with the aid of a walker. I noticed she was very nicely dressed, her hair was neatly styled and the light application of makeup indicated that she was a proud woman. Her matching earrings and necklace made me feel very plain. As she focused on me, her eyes lit up and a big smile came across her face. I smiled back and expected to continue on my way. I was wrong.

At first she commented on my friendly smile and then went on to say how rare that is now a days. I had to agree with her because even Christians tend to walk around looking like they were baptized in lemon juice. Everyone tends to have a "don't bother me" attitude, even though this is not what Christ taught. I try very hard in my Christian walk to do what the good book tells us to. After all, Christ tells us to love one another as we would love ourselves. I suppose this is hard in today's world, since alot of people don't actually like themselves. But that's another story for another time.

I stopped and gave this woman my full attention. I was enticed with her good humor. We usually don't give elderly people the time because we think they are senile and unpleasant. But not so with this dear lady. She spoke with a tint of a Southern accent. She began to tell me about herself. She had been an entertainer and even yodled! How many people do you know that can do that?

One thing I've learned, is to appreciate older people for their experiences. If you just let them, they just might teach you something. She told me she volunteered in nursing homes and hospitals. She commented on how sad it was that often times she was all they had.

She was a people lover. She found laughter to be the best medicine. This was obvious. She called herself a fruit cake. She even recited some poems that she had written. I couldn't help but be impressed, because I can't remember more than a couple words if that. She wrote these poems to entertain young children and make them laugh. She had genuine joy.

"Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not (even) now see Him; you believe in Him and exult and thrill with enexpressible and glorious (triumph, heavenly) joy." 1 Pt.1:8 (Amplified)

She continued to take control of the conversation. It's unlike me not to talk, but I somehow felt comfortable just listening. She did finally admit that her hearing aid wasn't working and she couldn't hear me anyway. This might have aggravated me at one time, but now it was fine. She had alot to say and it was worth listening to.

There was some 30 years between us but I had to agree with all that she said. One thing about Christians is the generation gap closes up. It's no longer about age differences because no matter what age your body is, your heart and spirits are in agreement. It's no longer about you, it's about the other person.

We began walking along together and she just kept talking, but everything she said had alot of depth to it. I really did enjoy just listening for a change instead of manipulating the converstation. She kept aplogizing for holding me back. But at that time I felt that it was my place to be with her. Almost as if I were entertaining an angel unawares.

She told me she was waiting for a shuttle bus because the people she had come to see did not work on Saturday. Not having anything pressing to do, I motioned for her to sit in the lobby and wait. I sat down beside her.

Her conversation continued with some more insightful things. She said if you have just one true friend in the world you were truly blessed. She remarked about how many friends we have when things are going good in our lives. People don't want to be bogged down with someone else's problems. But when the bottom falls out, these so called friends are never heard from again. She refered to them as "Sunshine Friends". How clever I thought, they are there when the sun shines and head for the hills when the sun has set. I hope I never forget that.

In all her wisdom, she remarked how so many people are unhappy. She concluded because they are afraid to be themselves. I call it peer pressure and fear pressure, again another story in itself. But it's true. People want to re-invent themselves to gain approval from people they don't even like. Her question to them was this, "Would they walk the last mile with you?" We all know the answer to that one.

Beides it being the "Me First " generation, she also commented on people who wear themselves out from worry. I had to agree with that because our Lord tells us it's futile, you won't gain anything by it.

"Therefore I tell you, stop being anxious and worried about your life, what you shall eat, what you shall drink, or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater (in quantity) than food, and the body (far above and more excellent) than clothing?" Mt. 6:25 (Amplified)

In the next few verses Jesus also tells us that worrying won't gain anything. Giving ALL our cares to God will lighten our load.

This reminds me of something else I recently heard. When your knees are shaking, get down on the floor and they will stop. How true, prayer is the answer for shakey knees!!!

After sitting with this dear woman for over an hour, I had a peaceful feeling to know that this was my "divine appointment " for the day. By running into eachother I realized it was no accident, this is how God moves in our lives. We may not always recognize it or see it, but God knows what He's doing.

Perhaps I was meant to just sit there and be with her as she reminisced or perhaps she had something I needed to hear for that day. What ever reason, I was glad God chose me to keep her company and help her get on the shuttle bus. We hugged eachother as if we'd been friends forever, it felt like we were. I walked away feeling like I'd been touched by an angel. Her name was Flo, and that's all I know.

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