As Samantha and I were leaving the therapists' office from her speech and occupational therapy sessions, the lens fell right off her glasses. We were only a few minutes away from the shop where we had purchased them a year ago, so I decided to take the short drive in the opposite direction from home in the hopes they could fix them quickly. I only had a about an hour before I needed to pick up Amber to take her to her math tutoring session. We had to wait about 20 minutes before we were helped, but they were able to fix them rather quickly because it was just a screw that had fallen out.
As I started to drive out of the parking lot, I noticed an Entenmann's store that I hadn't seen before and I got a sense to turn around and go in there. I really didn't want to because I needed to get home. I also started juicing vegetables and fruits a few weeks ago (new year's resolution), and I'm trying to stay away from sweets. So the last thing I need is to buy cakes and cookies to bring home and tempt me. But I disregarded all that and turned around, parked, and went inside with Samantha. Before I knew it, Samantha was standing in front of a mirror, dancing to the music they were playing. We were the only ones in the store, so I let her have fun and dance. She loves music, singing and dancing. The lady behind the register was so taken by Samantha, smiling and commenting on how much fun she seemed to be having. She even called one of the employees from the back of the store to tell her she had met her match.
As I took my 2 cakes to the register, the cashier (I'll call her Jane) asked me if I had known when she was born that she had Down syndrome. I told her that I didn't. We started talking and she told me that she had recently had a baby with Trisomy 18. The doctors had encouraged her to abort the baby at 5 months into her pregnancy when tests indicated that the baby would be born with multiple medical complications. She told them she would not consider 'killing the baby'. She says that from that point on, she was treated as 'damaged goods', and that the doctors would routinely check her, but not do much checking or monitoring of the baby.
Once the baby was born, Jane had to insist that the doctors in the NICU treat her baby like she had a chance, not like she was going to die. You see, they had already told Jane that the baby would not live for long. Jane says that she still remembers her baby's eyes and how she looked at mommy. The baby passed away 52 days after she was born, but Jane has no regrets. She had 52 days with her baby, and God had a reason for that.
This made it easier for me to ask her about her faith. Wouldn't you know that as soon as I asked her if she knew Jesus as her Savior, people started coming in the front door. Before I knew it, there were 4 other people in the store. They had very quickly picked up what they needed and were behind me at the counter. Distractions. I was able to share a little with her and to tell her that her baby was with our Lord and that if she knew Jesus as her Savior, she would be seeing her sweet baby girl again. I encouraged her that she had honored God by choosing life for her baby, and that God has a plan for her. She can be a blessing to other mommies in similar circumstances.
I think there was more to this meeting than what I know or I could see. This stop was not planned by me. It was planned by God. When I left the store, I felt like God was with me. I felt like He had ordained the meeting and had put the words in my mouth that I had spoken to Jane. It wasn't me. It never ceases to amaze me, too, how oftentimes when I start to share the gospel or to pray with someone, suddenly there are distractions around us. But I'm learning to just continue with what I'm saying, because God will give them ears to hear.
I wish there were more days and moments like these. I wish I were more tuned to God and His voice. I want to step out of my comfort zone and follow Jesus. Lord, I want to be your instrument. Help me to tune out the sounds of this world and to hear your still small voice.
A vessel with many cracks...may His glory shine through my cracks.
