Last week I was studying for summer classes in Ft. Worth when I decided to take a study break in a shop I had heard a lot about. There were “SALE” signs up, so I went in and started browsing the sale table.
There was a middle-aged woman browsing next to me, and she commented on the great sale. I agreed and said that it made a great study break. She then asked me where it was that I studied, and I explained that I was working on finishing a degree from the Baptist College of Florida through extension work. She nodded, and I perceived that her interest in me waned when I mentioned BCF. The conversation dwindled, and our attentions were drawn to separate parts of the store.
We met again in the back of the store, where I commented that the shop had so many cute things. She said that she designs jewelry, and loves seeing all of the ideas this shop can give her. We discovered a sale room and went in together to peruse.
While thumbing through pairs of shorts, I asked her what got her into making jewelry. She said that it was during her second round of chemo when she had breast cancer in both breasts. She reflected that she was so down and bored that she figured she might as well get into something, and so she began to make jewelry. I was surprised by what this woman had gone through, and told her that my grandmother died of breast cancer and that although I was young when she passed, cancer is still close to me. I remarked that she was a walking miracle. She agreed.
Then she said that through that time in her life, the Lord birthed a connection between her and her mother that was not previously there. She told me that they had a good relationship, but couldn’t relate on spiritual things prior to God working through her cancer. Again, encouraged by what she said, I told her that her story was incredible and asked how she came to know the Lord. She said it was when she was twelve years old in a Baptist church.
I was surprised and wondered why I had gotten my previous perception of her losing interest in me at the sale table. I didn't know all that this woman had gone through or where she was in her relationship with God now, so I just stated what I did know. "He is good." She agreed.
Our conversation continued to be salted with mutual encouragement. On my way out of the sale room to try a few things on, I realized that I hadn’t introduced myself. So, I turned and told her that my name was Elizabeth. She stopped for a moment and her eyes softened. She said that it touched her heart when I said that. Not understanding, I fought back a puzzled expression. She explained that she had had an ectopic pregnancy where the baby develops inside the fallopian tube and they have to terminate it.
Immediate sympathy formed my mouth to say that I was sorry for her loss. She thanked me and gently continued to explain. She said that when she was pregnant, the Lord gave her and her husband a distinct impression that the baby was a girl, and that her name was Elizabeth.
The grave significance of this woman's words to her life, and in that moment my life as well, left me unsure how to respond. All I could say was, “Oh, wow. You never know who you’re going to meet, do you?” She agreed and confidently stated that it was a divine appointment for us to meet. I nodded in agreement, saying that I loved those moments.
We parted ways mutually in awe of the Lord’s divine orchestrations.
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