Unexpected Encounters

I was in the grocery store yesterday and quite overwhelmed with thoughts of my own…thoughts like-“I should be more organized-I’m in Walmart without a list!…Am I crazy?”  “Is this the best price on fruit?” You get my drift, general grocery store thoughts.  We  just closed on the house an hour earlier and I was relishing in moments of sheer thankfulness at how God answered prayer…feeling so blessed, but definitley in my own world.  I had a running list going in my mind on what ingredients I would need for vegetable soup.  I picked up a gallon of green beans (yes, I did say gallon) when I heard this sweet voice say “Looks like you will be feeding a lot of people”.  I explained that I had five children who are hearty eaters.  At that statement the eyes of this 80 year old lady became  a mirror of her heart.  “I had five kids too” she commented.  In the isle of Walmart with people buzzing past us in a hurry, I stopped my “clock and lists” and had a precious unexpected encounter.  We spent 15 minutes getting to know each other.  I listened and learned about her love of sixty+ years.  He passed away 2 years ago.  She thought she wouldn’t make it…but she is making it, one day at a time.  Her oldest son died of cancer.  She has four other children who “take great care of her.”  She is so proud of the love and care she gets from them.  She didn’t mention how much they made or how “accomplished” they are in any given field.  She spoke plainly of their kindness and care for her.  I mentioned that she must be a wonderful mother that now benefits from her time invested in her family.  She smiled.  I could almost see video of memories pass through her mind.  She has many things to share.  I left her with a way to reach me.  She thanked me for being so nice and said she  just might call when she needs someone to talk to.  I hope she does.  Her advice to me before she left…”you go take care of those precious kids…love them…you won’t ever regret that”.  I left thinking about what a beautiful perpective she gave me.  I was so glad to make this “walmart friend” and once again wondered how much I miss in the business of my time-sensitive world.  I could’ve been polite without stopping for 15 minutes to really listen.  I would’ve missed a huge blessing.  This encounter was very unexpected for me, but I know it wasn’t unexpected at all to the God who planned it!  There are no coincedences with Him.  I hope I get to be an unexpected encounter for someone!  If we’re looking for opportunity, we just might find it.