Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Colossians 3:12

As we travelled through Mississippi almost to our destination, we noticed a car on the side of the road. A woman stood beside the opened back door crying so hard her whole face turned red. 

My husband looked at me and he spoke my exact thoughts. “We have to go back!” At that very moment an exit to the access road appeared beside us and we took it. My husband got out to check on her while I stayed in the car. She assured him she was all right, but had PTSD and needed to take a break. 

As soon as I heard “PTSD” I surprised myself by jumping out of our car and heading toward hers shouting, “I have had PTSD.” Instead of being frightened by the crazy woman rushing toward her, she came toward me as well. We held hands through a barbed wire fence while I prayed for her. Then after visiting a few minutes we each went on our way.

What a blessing we received! I do not brag ourselves as I relay this story though, I brag on God. He compelled my husband to turn around. He compelled me to jump out of our car. He led me to pray with her even though I do not consider myself that great of an out loud “pray-er.”

The enemy would have wanted me to be so broken that we would not have even noticed her, but God had bigger plans. We ministered to each other through that fence.

I had never felt grateful for negative events in my life before, but if they led up to that one moment in time – maybe they had a purpose. And, maybe, that purpose made them not quite so negative. 

God, thank you for the opportunity to be used by you. Help me to always have a heart like yours for others. 

Susan P.