warm

So strange are the little secret blessings that God pours out to us through random people.

Monday morning was a great start to the week.

I woke up around six for breakfast and papa took me to the chiropractor on the Eastside. I rode the bus back.

Whatever the reason, this state of loneliness I find myself in is at it's depth. In spite of it I'm able to rejoice. The Lord knows this struggle of mine and encourages me with little things to continue to be deliberate in my rejoicing.

I slept on the bus. It was still quite early as I made my way back. The bus had it's heater on which invited sleep. As I leaned my head against the window and dozed off I pictured my sisters in Maryland. I wallowed a little in my longing to be there with them, lifting my appeal to the Holy Spirit.

As I did this a rush of passengers boarded the bus and one took their place in the empty seat next to me. I was half asleep and lost in my prayers but I knew they sat down because I felt their warmth.

And what a warmth! She sat closer than any other stranger would, and pressed her shoulder into mine. Most people, when they have to sit next to someone on the bus, will sit on the opposite edge of the seat as to avoid any physical contact whatsoever.

She didn't seem to mind, and I didn't protest.

This was near the beginning of our journey back to Seattle which lasted nearly a half hour on the freeway. I melted a little bit, lost in the memories of being really little and fitting right in Laurel's arms, even the time we snuggled for a half hour before I had to leave Maryland last December. The times I would sit in Papa's lap every night as he worked on his computer.

And this warmth of this shoulder next to mine increased. I knew it wasn't just physical warmth, but a divine touch. Something really really special. I didn't think it through at the time.

The stops became more frequent as we arrived in downtown Seattle. I jolted my eyes open. After looking around to see how far from the bus tunnel we were where I would make a transfer to the next leg of my journey, I glanced at the young lady next to me. 20-some years, dirty blond hair, dressed professionally--like someone just out of college. In her hand she held a handwritten notebook which she was reading out of. She was deep in her reflections and I couldn't help but glance onto the page she was reading.

Matthew 8:17
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”

I saw the word believe.

It was then I realized that she was my angel of comfort.


I wanted to say something to her, but I couldn't think of anything before we arrived at her stop. She took up her stuff and left.

Since then I've remembered what Oswald Chambers said about the rivers of living water that flow through believers:
"If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has nourished in you mighty torrents of blessing for others."

God Bless her.