The Story That Inspired This Venture

After receiving so many posts and likes about my status (because Facebook does not offer their "notes" feature anymore) in which I wrote a story blog type thing, I thought... hurmm. Maybe I could blog again. I used to. Back when Xanga was the "in" thing. (cue the "oh, Xanga." comments laced with embarrassed chagrin) I also thought. What better way to help hone my aspiring authorship skills? So, hopefully people will read. And hopefully people will enjoy! :) 

So.. to start out, I will post once more what I posted last night. 

You never know where you will see Jesus.

I saw Jesus today in a public restroom.

I scurried into Wal-Mart, grouchy because my bladder had decided to suddenly feel as if it would explode. On my retreat to the bathroom, I moved past a frail, elderly man who was leaning against the wall close to the door I was entering. I offered him friendly smile before I scooted inside and scoped out the closest bathroom stall, certain I was in danger of not making it. Right before I entered my stall a feeble, “Hello? Can someone help me?” caught my attention. I paused. I really have to pee! I thought before I responded, “Yes, hello? How can I help you?”

“I need help getting up.” She replied. “I got all confused and I just don’t know what to do. I’m so scared to get up.”

Immediately concerned, yet momentarily fearing she would be beyond my help, I went ahead and asked if she could reach the lock. My bladder would have to wait.

“Yes.” She replied, “I locked the door. Then I got confused.”

“Can you unlock it so I can get in to help you?”

“Oh, I suppose unlocking it would be good for me to do.” Her voice was a mixture of elderly shakiness and childlike fear. With her cane she struggled to move the lock. “I think that did it.”

When I opened the door, I got hold of her gloves and cane so that she would not have to worry about it. I asked her to take hold on my arm so I could help her up.  Our first attempt was not successful. I suggested she wrap both her arms around mine and braced myself so she could rise.

Her body trembled for a moment before she realized she was standing. Relief flooded her eyes as she straightened with confidence. She started spouting thanks. “You are wonderful. You looked so small I did not think it would work. You must be strong.”

I smiled: embarrassed she was professing me the nicest person in the world as a woman walked out of the restroom. I told her I was stronger than I look. “Well, you must be!” She declared. We worked together to get her presentable. When she thanked me again, I reassured her that helping her was not a problem.

When I offered her gloves to her, she frowned, clearly flustered and confused over what to do next. “Oh, I do not know whether I should put those on yet or not.” I suggested she wait until she was ready to go outside and I helped her tuck them into her coat pocket and handed her cane back to her.

            I asked if someone was waiting for her and if I could help her find him or her.

“My husband is waiting for me outside. He is probably wondering whatever happened to me.” She gave a small chuckle as we slowly made our way to the door.

After another thank you, I reassured her once more helping was no problem as I held the door open and she laughed to her husband, “We have success. I got lost. ” His smile reached his eyes, unlike before, as he thanked me for helping her.  She asked for his arm to support her and they slowly hobbled away together.

I closed the bathroom door behind me, realizing the urgency of my bladder had abated. I realized what had been an irritation for me a moment before had turned into an opportunity. My heart filled with so much joy and I thanked God for the appointment He had ordained for me.