“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
My goodness, God’s Word addresses every area of our walk of faith…. every area. The scripture above came to life for me the other morning at a local department store. This department store had “sales” going on just after Christmas, and I thought I might check it out for opportunity gifts later in the upcoming year. When an advertising sign shouts 50 PERCENT OFF…. that can be an attraction to my billfold.
This morning I had a family member in mind together with the item I was specifically looking for. The store wasn’t as crowded as I thought it might be, so I casually strolled the aisles looking for this item.
I was “focused!” There were people around me here and there, but my eyes were fixed on just what I was looking forward to purchasing. In my tour of the women’s department, I did notice an older woman using a walker and a younger gal in front of her, but I kept moving along with my eyes gazing at price tags and the merchandise that was along my route.
My frustration was building as there seemed to be nothing that would be attractive for the person whom I was buying for. I was beginning to think that my “gift hunting” was about to come to an end.
Then, it happened. This woman appeared again, and upon my glance in her direction, she piped up and asked me, “Are there any sweaters in this store?” I quickly responded with a quick statement, “I don’t know,” attempting to move away from the woman. After all, I was on mission and had only about one and a half hours to make this purchase a reality.
However, God had “other plans …. His plans.” At first, I asked her what type of top or sweater was she looking for. Before I knew it, I was enlisted (by Jesus’ touch on my heart) to sort of help this woman. So, I invited myself for a few moments to be her personal “sweater shopper.”
This was just a casual question, as I wanted to show her to an area where there were sweaters, and move along with my own agenda.
This was NOT TO BE! It was obvious that she was a little confused and frustrated. She began her introduction by saying, “I’m an old lady and live in a care facility.” Well, I didn’t require an address, as I knew immediately what she meant.
She was driven in a large community bus to “do some shopping.” The driver had given her an hour at this department store, and she felt time was passing and afraid she wouldn’t be able to complete her shopping excursion in time. She was also fearful that the driver would be upset with her.
Well, that introduced a new dilemma to my plans. It took about 5 minutes before it dawned on me (I’m slow at catching on to God’s directives sometimes, and this was one of them) that maybe God was involved in this situation.
I glanced at her walker and she smiled as she showed me this particular blouse which was draped over the handles to her walker. My immediate comment was, “That’s nice. That would be something I would buy.”
She caught on to that puzzle peace and indicated that she liked how I was dressed. Unanimously, we agree that we had similar taste in clothing…. a “tailored look.” Her face brightened and my heart began to make “adjustments” to my purpose in being in that department store.
Within moments, I felt like God was nudging me to take an unanticipated tour of the store, along with my new friend, who was picking up speed with her walker. She was maneuvering the corners of the store as good as I was.
During our visit in and out of the aisles, I realized that God had prompted me to help this woman, and “forget my own agenda!”
After about another 25 minutes, alas, we found a black and white sweater-like top that was warm, and stunning. I pulled it out to display before her eyes. SHE LIKED IT! After I announced the size, she immediately said, “It won’t fit, it’s too small.”
By now, as her uninvited but welcomed shopping attendant, she trusted me enough to allow me to help her “try on the garment.” Voila, it fit “perfectly.”
During all of this, she was still was concerned that the driver would soon be in the store looking for her. She was right. We practically bumped into him. Just as she decided she wanted to purchase the sweater, there he appeared.
I thanked him for his patience and shared with him that we were heading for the checkout area and wouldn’t be long. He was more than cooperative…. which was a blessing to this frustrated lady.
By now, time had passed, and I realized that there was nothing in that store that was appropriate for what I wanted to purchase. So, before I realized it, I was walking with her to the checkout to make sure that her purchase was complete, without any hiccups.
There was a couple in front of us, and people behind us. It was at this moment that I focused on “who” she was. I asked her for her name. “It’s Rose and I live at Legacy Senior Center.”
Rose began thanking me profusely and then she asked my age. I told her and with a sudden increased volume said, “You don’t look it!” She repeatedly looked at me to thank me.
I couldn’t take it any longer, for that morning I had given this day over to the Lord Jesus to direct my steps and conversations. So, it was “Jesus” who directed our coming together in the store, and it was now time to share that information with this dear woman.
I leaned over and quietly told her that it was Jesus who brought us together this morning. She repeated His Name! I mentioned that I had prayed this morning and asked Him to direct my steps.
Within about 30 seconds I remembered that I had a brochure in my purse. It was “Steps to Peace with God.” I removed it from my purse and told her that Jesus had saved my life. She just looked at me.
Her next comment at full volume was, “What did He save you from?” My response was, “He saved me from my sin.”
Again, she repeated out loud, “He saved you from your sin?” “Yes, that’s right.” I gently placed the brochure in her opened purse and asked her to read it when she got home. “OK” was her comment.
I walked her to the bus and she wanted to give me a big hug. Before boarding, I waited until she was boarded and waved goodbye.
I smiled inside and out all the way walking to my car. I had joy that filled me to over-flowing…………………and I had to write about it!
We never know who the Lord will place in front of us, regardless of our plans, and on this day, I couldn’t be more pleased with His direction.
At the end of this year 2023, let’s give thanks for those people who have crossed our paths and look with anticipation for those whom the Lord Jesus will direct our way in the coming year.
Moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month…. if we belong to Jesus, He is orchestrating His plans and providence for His glory and our good through His sovereign will.
“A man’s steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24
Cups of Cold Water 