Sharing God's love at Publix

I am not one who likes to approach strangers and witness to them. It is just not my personality and I sometimes find it personally intrusive when strangers try to influence me with whatever they believe. Now I am the first person to compliment a stranger, but I just don't bring God into it. Tonight I ended up at Publix after 9:30pm to re-stock our refrigerator. I was walking down an aisle when I saw the thinnest girl I have ever seen in my life. I have been close to others who have battled eating disorders, but this was unlike anything I had ever seen. (It is also possible she had a terminal illness, but she exhibited the behaviors of someone who struggles with food). I love to embellish, but I am not exaggerating. Her tiny pants were falling off of her. They were literally hitting the middle of her bottom and barely on her. It looked like she might have dried vomit on her pant leg. She wore long pants, a tank, and an open 3/4 length shirt. Her bones protruded from her chest and collarbone. Her face was hollow and caved in. She had long dirty blonde hair and big eyes and she was beautiful. But I could tell that she had no idea she was beautiful. I felt so moved. I just can't explain to you how thin she was. I felt like the Lord was telling me to tell her that God loves her. I was semi-relieved when I lost sight of her in the store. I searched for her, knowing I had to tell her God loves her. I didn't want to do it. I went over what to say in my head, and the words just didn't form easily. I couldn't find her, so I gave up. I went to check out. You guessed it... God had a plan and she was right in front of me. I loaded my items on the cart, searching for the right words. All of a sudden, she was finished and walking out of the store. I told the check out clerk to please wait, and I ran after her. "M'am, I don't know why, but I feel like I am supposed to tell you God loves you." She turned to me, obviously moved, and said, "Thank you." So, I continued, "He loves you very, very much. And He is bigger than anything that might be going on in your life. You just need to know that you are very, very loved". At this point, we are both crying. She thanked me, and I touched her arm and let her go. I had been afraid to do it, but I obeyed the Lord's prompting. I turned and walked back to the check out line. As God would have it, one of our pastors was now in line behind me and had walked up while I was talking to the beautiful girl . I burst into tears trying to explain why I had run off after a stranger. He said he thought she was my friend. I can only imagine the remorse I would have felt had I ignored my heart and let her go without sharing those words. It won't change her circumstances, but I know that it was what I was supposed to do. Part of me felt crazy speaking these words to a stranger, but God often calls us out of our comfort zone, and we must obey.

My blog friend, Melissa, shared a story this morning on her blog that I believe helped me follow the Lord's lead today. Sometimes this blog seems so silly, but knowing how her blog encouraged me, I am going to keep writing. Feel free to comment about a time the Lord prompted you to do something you weren't comfortable doing.