Eyes wide shut…
A couple of weeks ago, I was visiting my favorite TJ Maxx store.
I was on a mission to find some cute little Fall decorations for our home.
Laser focused, I suddenly had to go to the bathroom.
Ugh. I didn’t really have time to go, I had an appointment to be at, and the lines to check out at TJ Maxx are often not the shortest.
I ran to the bathroom, and out of the corner of my eyes I saw a lady washing her hands at the sink.
She had on a green, somewhat wrinkled dress. Her hair was a little bit disheveled, and other than that I did not think twice about her.
We made quick eye contact, and I hurried to the open stall.
After using the bathroom, I went to the sink where the lady in the green dress was now talking to another lady in the restroom.
The other lady was gushing about how beautiful the lady in the green dress looked. She was just going on and on about her dress and her hair…
Suddenly, I saw what she saw.
The lady in the green dress, her face just lit up. She was smiling so big and just saying, “thank you, thank you, thank you.
I felt a little weird just standing there eaves dropping, so I joined in the compliment session.
“Your dress is really pretty”, I smiled and told the green dress lady.
Her eyes started brimming with tears.
“Thank you so much, young lady. I just turned 75 and this dress was a birthday gift to myself.”
I could sense that there was more to this story, something deeper and something just…more.
A wave of sadness came over me and suddenly I felt such conviction.
I had not even noticed her when I came into the bathroom.
I was busy and hurried and desperately trying to stick to my agenda…
Walking out of the bathroom, I did not even feel like shopping anymore.
I felt like I needed to repent of being self focused and self absorbed.
God had put her in my path for that moment to open my eyes.
I will never forget how her face just lit up when the other lady, who clearly wasn’t absorbed in her own agenda, noticed her. And complimented her.
Such a seemingly small, small thing.
But, not to the lady in the green dress. It meant everything to her.
I still get choked up when I think of this incident.
How many times has God put someone in my path and I was too busy to notice or interact?
Clearly, the lady in the green dress was in need of encouragement and love.
Clearly, I walked right past her.
I think of Jesus and the woman that touched the hem of His garment and was immediately healed.
Jesus saw her.
He noticed her.
Even in a crowd of people, He saw the one that needed healing.
This incident was such a reminder to my heart to keep my spiritual eyes open…at all times.
I am reminded to continually ask for “eyes to see”.
Also, to ask for wisdom at all times…even in the bathroom at TJ Maxx.
I am so thankful for the other lady in the bathroom…the one that noticed the green dress lady. The one that had her spiritual eyes on…to see that this green dress lady needed encouragement that morning.
A little encouragement can go a long way.
I am challenged to notice. I am challenged to pay attention. I am challenged to speak up and speak into the lives of others….even when I am short on time.
God’s Word tells us…
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Let’s be intentional in this.
Let’s ask God for opportunities daily to encourage each other. To build each other up.
Encouragement is contagious. It has a domino affect that will bring ripples of JOY to others around us.
keeping my eyes open,
jill
