Quik Trip. Lasting Impression.

Anyone who knows me, is well aware that if I am near a QuikTrip, I must stop.  Although I do seem to be thirsty all the time, driving in the vicinity of a QT makes the thirst worse! I have to say, on this particular day, I was beyond blessed when I stopped to get a drink at my favorite convenience store...

I had to make a run to Wal-Mart, and it did not seem right to be so close to a QT without taking advantage of it, so my daughter and I stopped in for a quick thirst quencher. As we made our way to the register to pay, a lady came up and stood in another line to the side of us. When I paid for our drinks, I was instantly drawn to her actions. As she started to pay for her drink, an older gentleman stepped up to the counter, to wait in line to pay for his. But, before he could even think about it, the lady paid for his drink.

The look on his face was of sweet awe and absolutely priceless. He wasn't sure what to say, and after fumbling over a few words, he said, "Well all I can think of is, thanks. Thank you."  The lady who purchased his drink replied, "You're welcome. Just pass it on when you get the chance."

Simultaneously smiling from the inside out, my daughter and I walked out of the store. She looked up at me and said, "How cool was that?! What that woman did was so nice!" I wholeheartedly agreed. It was "so nice" and simple, yet huge. Besides just the random kindness, one thing kept at my heart and mind: That older gentleman will remember that for a long time, maybe forever. He won't remember it because of the monetary cost; he will remember it because of the ladies' action. Someone stepped up and acted out of kindness and love for someone they don't even know (and may never see again).

I know God had to be smiling! My daughter and I couldn't quit smiling and talking about it for quite a while. I even called a friend and my husband to let them know what we had the privilege of witnessing.

This may have been a "Quik Trip," but it left a lasting impression not only on the older man, but also on those who got to see the kindness unfold (and I am sure it warmed the heart of the lady who paid). It is great proof that we don't have to have innumerable, inexhaustible resources to make a difference in the lives of others. What we do have to possess is love and the willingness to step out and share that love with others. Through our willingness to share, we can pray that the recipients of our love will do the same for someone else. Little things do make lasting differences.

Look for Me

Don't you just love it when you see God working! Whether it is a small glimmer of His reassurance or a huge banner He waves just so we remember He is there, seeing God at work is inspiring and amazing.

A few days ago, as I sat in a book club rummaging and rambling over what we were reading, I had the blessing of listening to a friend pour out her heart. Although I could not say I knew exactly how she felt, I could say that I knew we served the same God. A God that never takes a vacation - A God who hears our cries - A God who has a hope-filled future for each us. I encouraged her to look for the glimmers of God working around her, because I was sure the glimmers were there. As I encouraged her to look for God working, God reminded me to do the same: Look for Him.

How many times have I missed that glimmer of divine encouragement because I chose to look elsewhere? How many days have I missed God working all around me because I am just not looking? It really made me think about so many prayers, where I have asked God for some type of sign and just how many times I missed seeing that sign. Maybe I missed it because I did not diligently look or missed it because I expected some certain type of sign? Whatever the reason may be, God's message to me was: Look for Me.

When God shows Himself, in the midst of a tough situation or in our everyday circumstances, it is always a divine experience. The cool thing: He shows Himself even when we do not ask, and He shows Himself in ways we could never imagine. The thing we have to remember is: Look for God. Whether in a glimmer or huge banner, He is always there.


The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.    Zephaniah 3:17