This morning, a lady roughly in her early to mid 60's or so, came into the sporting goods store looking for a particular flash light for her grandson. She stated that she had purchased one last week for her granddaughter, and wanted to see if they had any more for her grandson. The light was currently out-of-stock, so she asked for direction to the nearest sporting goods store.
As I was giving her direction, she began to telling me about her grandchildren and where they lived. One lived in Fullerton, California...near where I'm and where I just visited this past weekend. She mentioned that she use to live in Cali, and how she would love to go back. I asked her if she ever consider moving back, and she replied that she did indeed considered the idea, but how impossible it would be. The first thing that came to mind was the cost of living, but her reason had an even larger price tag attached to it.
She express how her inability to drive would hinder her experience. "I won't be able to do all the things I want and really enjoy"; she said. I told her that I hope that she gets better, and her response was "I'm NOT...I am near the end". "I have brain cancer and there is nothing they can do"; she said. Let me tell you, my heart felt like it out-weighed my entire body at this point. She said that she has already outlived what the doctors estimated...which was a month ago. The very next thing that came out of her mouth was; "I praise God for this, for it has truly strengthened my Faith". Wow!!!! "Before getting sick, I believed but my faith wasn't at the level that it SHOULD BE"; she said. This situation has taught her the importance of having a relationship with God, loving, and giving unto others.
The crazy thing about this is that I had just had a conversation with a co-worker, literally right before speaking to the lady, who said she has no faith at all because of the things God allowed to happen to her during her upbringing.
So its plain to see that trials can do 1 of 2 things. Either build you up, or break you down. Speaking with this bright, lovely lady, truly touched and blessed my spirit. Its so easy to stand up for Jesus when things are going well, but would you do the same when things aren't lining up in your favor? The last thing she told before she left was; "I love God and I love Jesus, I have prepared my mind to go and I am ready... See you in Heaven"! Gave me a hug a went on her way.
Paul Says in Philippians 1:20-21; According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
