I was standing in line this morning at a bakery, waiting to purchase some wonderful bread that reminds me of when we were in Europe years ago. The kind of bread that you eat a piece of, and it’s chewy and nutty, and you feel like you’ve had a meal.
Can you tell I really like this bread? Ha, ha. As I waited there with my little dog, Lucy, a couple came up behind me to wait in line. They wanted to pet Lucy. So, I picked her up; and as they petted her, they noticed that she was a little nervous. And I told them she’s kind of been that way since I started chemo. She basically wants me to go home, and she worries about me when I’m in public now that I have started chemo. Smart little dog.
But as we stood there, and I shared with them why she was nervous, the woman looked at me with a shy, sweet smile. Her husband said, “My wife was diagnosed not too long ago with colon cancer. She got through this round, but they found more polyps.” And I saw the look in both of their eyes. I shared with them how I have had three different kinds of cancers in three years. And I looked her in the eye and said, “We’re still here and we are still surviving. My parents were told when I was 9 that I had a rare form of cancer that was 100% fatal. I’m still here!” It was a moment between the three of us strangers. I felt that I was able to encourage her even just in the spur of the moment.
I turned and ordered my bread and said goodbye. I may never see them again. Probably won’t. But just for that moment, we touched. I realize that I am more open about my own personal struggles than many people are. But I also realize that when I open up and share with people, it gives God a chance to use me to encourage others. There’s nothing like empathy. When you can look someone in the eye and say, “I’ve been there too, and I want to tell you that you can get through this difficult time with joy and peace.” It has made me bold. I know I have something more valuable than gold or silver to share. Hope.
You never would’ve known that this couple was struggling. Not until I mentioned that I was going through something like what she was going through. I guess I want to encourage you to look around you as you’re out living your life and running your errands and taking care of the business of the day. Sometimes those quick encounters that seem to us just a moment in our lives, can mean everything to someone else. Share yourself! Share your hope! Give God a chance to use you to give that hope and that joy to others. They are all around us, we just need eyes to see. I am so glad I didn’t miss my gift of the day!