May 4

I went to Walmart this morning in search of a second pair of swimming trunks for Brady. As I entered the store, a man stood near the entrance holding a clipboard. I gave him half a glance and dismissively said that I'd already signed all the petitions. He caught my fleeting gaze and smiled, and then pointed down at my shirt --which featured a Bible verse about love-- and said that that was the most important thing of all and that he'd found out about it two years ago. I smiled in return and continued into the store, but his words lingered in the back of my mind as I navigated up and down the aisles and to the self-checkout counter.

By the time I exited the store, he was seated at a small card table. I turned to wave and said God bless you, which he returned with a big smile. I continued out to the car, and that's when I heard God telling me to go talk to him some more. 

I don't mean that I literally heard the voice of God --I wish-- but I got the sense that He wanted me to have a more extended conversation with this guy. It was a feeling in my chest. I got in my car and asked for a sign (since apparently the feeling wasn't enough for me). Nothing happened. So I said "okay, God, if my car doesn't start right away when I push the button, I'll take that as a sign." The engine turned over right on cue, but I still felt like I was ignoring a prompt. Because I'm a stubborn gal, I drove halfway back up the aisle toward the exit  before I finally changed course, glided into a new space, and cut the engine. I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to say or exactly why I was supposed to go talk to this man, but I knew I'd be sorry if I didn't. 

So I got out of the car, walked up to him, and said "well, the Lord told me that I needed to come talk with you some more. I'm not entirely sure why, but I try to listen when He provides instructions." And this guy's face lit up like a Christmas tree. He asked my name and introduced himself as Sherman. What followed was a brief history of his life and how he came to discover --through many difficulties and challenges-- the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I honestly don't remember much of what he said because my memory isn't my best attribute these days, but I do recall him repeatedly saying that he's been saved and that he just wants people to know that God loves them, because if He can love a sinner like him who has done bad, bad things, He can love anyone. I encouraged him to keep walking in faith no matter what the future may bring, and he thanked me for coming back to talk. 

Initially, I was arrogant enough to think that I was going to be the one ministering to him, but the reality is that I think it was the other way around, because although his story rambled, the message was clear: Jesus saves. So for his story of redemption and for the unexpected reminder that grace is truly free, I am so thankful.