"Seen October Baby?" came the voice at the next Redbox kiosk, where a sharply dressed elderly man was standing.
"No, I haven't. Thanks! That is one I really want to see," I answered surprisedly. While thinking how wonderful it was that a perfect stranger, who hadn't even taken his eyes off of the touch-screen while speaking to me, was giving me good movie suggestions.
"Oh, it's a good one. A really good one." he said.
"Seen What's Eating Gilbert Grape? That was a weird one." as he laughs to himself, still staring at the screen.
"No, I've never seen that one," I commented, "but Johnny Depp tends to be in some strange movies." I was trying to figure this old man out.
"Oh, and The Three Stooges." he added, "That one was good too."
"You're really up on your movies!" I exclaimed.
"Well, when you're old and single there isn't much else to do. I used to get two movies a night, but now I only get one and get more sleep instead." he laughed.
"That's a good idea - sleep is a good thing," says the sleep deprived me, sad for this lonely guy.
After hearing several more movie suggestions, and chit chatting in between, I chose my movie and headed out.
"Well, take care and enjoy your movie!" I offered.
"God Bless you, goodbye!" he said as he waved to me.
This guy cheered me up, how cute was he? I prayed this man had some companionship with friends and family. I prayed he knew Jesus.
Just an hour earlier, I pulled up to the grocery store for the second time. I was eager to get out of the house just me and Emmalie for some break time. But I zoomed out of the house, forgetting to make sure that my wallet made it's way back into the diaper bag. I got to the store, which was my first stop in town, realizing that my wallet was nowhere to be found. Defeated, after a long sleepless week, I called home to see if Jeremy would look for my wallet in the only other place it could be - in the bag I used the other night when I ran a meeting at church. He confirmed it was there, and through my tired and frustrated tears, I said I'd be right back home to get it.
So after driving into town twice unexpectantly, totalling in just over 45 minutes of driving with a baby who was fed and ready for a shopping trip - I was back with my wallet in hand. On my way back into town, I was wondering what God may have protected me from on the roads, perhaps, by this "interruption", or who I may run into on my outing, that I would have otherwise missed had I been on my way after only one trip to town.
I prayed, with a changed attitude, knowing that God has my best in mind. And I thanked him, relieved to be back in town, and done with driving.
I couldn't help but smile to myself, after my interaction with Redbox guy. And to think! I would have missed this.
While I was smiling to myself and pondering all of the other ways that God allows "interruptions" in my life for my good or the good of someone else, I arrived back at my car, sat Emmy's carseat in the backseat, and I heard behind me, "Oh, hi!"
I spun around and saw a woman who I don't see often, but love keeping up with even though she is new in my life and about 10 years younger than I. I'd been thinking about her a lot. Since I removed myself from facebook, I no longer knew what was new with her family. We talked outside, as the wind whipped and chilled to the bone. I found out that after her miscarriage last spring, she was now 16 weeks pregnant with their 4th child.
Another gift from God to me that day.
Oh, how I wish I was so quick to accept an interference in my plans as good for me in the long run. This day, it was good for me in the short run, and it pulled me back to the reality that God works all things out for my good, because I love him and am called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
And by the way, we watched October Baby.
There wasn't a dry eye throughout. What a powerful way to proclaim the beauty of life and the far-reaching effects of abortion. And not to mention adoption. The now wanted find a home, a family.
The movie is based on the real-life true story of Gianna Jessen, abortion survivor. Google her.
Our little Levi cried out from his bed at the exact moment the main character, Hanna, was finding out some crucial information about the abortion she survived. My heart leapt. Through tears, Jeremy went and got him out of his bed to be out in the living room with us and hold him. Our two little miracle two year olds. The now wanted found a home, a family.
.
"No, I haven't. Thanks! That is one I really want to see," I answered surprisedly. While thinking how wonderful it was that a perfect stranger, who hadn't even taken his eyes off of the touch-screen while speaking to me, was giving me good movie suggestions.
"Oh, it's a good one. A really good one." he said.
"Seen What's Eating Gilbert Grape? That was a weird one." as he laughs to himself, still staring at the screen.
"No, I've never seen that one," I commented, "but Johnny Depp tends to be in some strange movies." I was trying to figure this old man out.
"Oh, and The Three Stooges." he added, "That one was good too."
"You're really up on your movies!" I exclaimed.
"Well, when you're old and single there isn't much else to do. I used to get two movies a night, but now I only get one and get more sleep instead." he laughed.
"That's a good idea - sleep is a good thing," says the sleep deprived me, sad for this lonely guy.
After hearing several more movie suggestions, and chit chatting in between, I chose my movie and headed out.
"Well, take care and enjoy your movie!" I offered.
"God Bless you, goodbye!" he said as he waved to me.
This guy cheered me up, how cute was he? I prayed this man had some companionship with friends and family. I prayed he knew Jesus.
Just an hour earlier, I pulled up to the grocery store for the second time. I was eager to get out of the house just me and Emmalie for some break time. But I zoomed out of the house, forgetting to make sure that my wallet made it's way back into the diaper bag. I got to the store, which was my first stop in town, realizing that my wallet was nowhere to be found. Defeated, after a long sleepless week, I called home to see if Jeremy would look for my wallet in the only other place it could be - in the bag I used the other night when I ran a meeting at church. He confirmed it was there, and through my tired and frustrated tears, I said I'd be right back home to get it.
So after driving into town twice unexpectantly, totalling in just over 45 minutes of driving with a baby who was fed and ready for a shopping trip - I was back with my wallet in hand. On my way back into town, I was wondering what God may have protected me from on the roads, perhaps, by this "interruption", or who I may run into on my outing, that I would have otherwise missed had I been on my way after only one trip to town.
I prayed, with a changed attitude, knowing that God has my best in mind. And I thanked him, relieved to be back in town, and done with driving.
I couldn't help but smile to myself, after my interaction with Redbox guy. And to think! I would have missed this.
While I was smiling to myself and pondering all of the other ways that God allows "interruptions" in my life for my good or the good of someone else, I arrived back at my car, sat Emmy's carseat in the backseat, and I heard behind me, "Oh, hi!"
I spun around and saw a woman who I don't see often, but love keeping up with even though she is new in my life and about 10 years younger than I. I'd been thinking about her a lot. Since I removed myself from facebook, I no longer knew what was new with her family. We talked outside, as the wind whipped and chilled to the bone. I found out that after her miscarriage last spring, she was now 16 weeks pregnant with their 4th child.
Another gift from God to me that day.
Oh, how I wish I was so quick to accept an interference in my plans as good for me in the long run. This day, it was good for me in the short run, and it pulled me back to the reality that God works all things out for my good, because I love him and am called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
And by the way, we watched October Baby.
There wasn't a dry eye throughout. What a powerful way to proclaim the beauty of life and the far-reaching effects of abortion. And not to mention adoption. The now wanted find a home, a family.
The movie is based on the real-life true story of Gianna Jessen, abortion survivor. Google her.
Our little Levi cried out from his bed at the exact moment the main character, Hanna, was finding out some crucial information about the abortion she survived. My heart leapt. Through tears, Jeremy went and got him out of his bed to be out in the living room with us and hold him. Our two little miracle two year olds. The now wanted found a home, a family.
.
Awesome. I sobbed through the end of October Baby, rejoicing and grieving at the same time over the real-ness of lost loved ones who never had a chance to be here. It totally wrecked and healed me at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI, too, think about what the "interruptions" in daily life either save us from or bless us with. Thanks for sharing yours!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't seen October Baby, though it's definitely on my list. Give those two snuggly, precious, "wanted ones" an extra snuggle from me tonight...