Go Home Another Way

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Matthew 2:11-12

Krispy Kreme is a big thing in Florida. I had never heard of them until we moved here and it is all that, let me tell you! I have had maybe two or three Krispy Kremes in all of the 7 years I've been in Florida, but that are absolutely delicious. Pretty much everyone here loves them.

At our Christmas Eve service our pastor left a box of Krispy Kremes on every car window and we were instructed that since we came and had an opportunity to worship Jesus together (like the wise men) we were to go back to our home "another way" and deliver these donuts to someone who was working in our community on Christmas Eve. How beautiful of an idea!

I want to share my encounter on Christmas Eve...it was most definitely a divine appointment. I came home and before I had dinner needed to write these details down, so I wouldn't forget them!

As I went home "another way" tonight, Mike and I had taken two cars, so I went home alone. It was God's purpose for sure. I went to CVS and saw that there were already employees with their boxes of donuts. I stood in line at the photo section and was going to give it to the girl at the counter. She looked at me with my box and said..I think every employee has a box already. The woman in front of me looked back and said..."I'll take them!" and smiled, not quite making eye contact with me.

I looked at her and said, "would you like this box of donuts? I would love for you to have them along with my Merry Christmas wish to you!" She asked why we were giving them away and I told her I just had an opportunity to enjoy worship with my church family and we were encouraged to go and bless others who just might need it. She looked right into my eyes and said..."Well thank you, this is the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a long time." Her eyes welled up with tears and I placed my hand on her shoulder. I replied, "I guess this was supposed to happen just like this. I am glad this brought you a little joy." She responded with her crying voice and said, "My father just died two weeks ago, and I am having a very hard time celebrating anything." I put my purse down and looked right into her eyes and told her that I was sorry that she was in so much pain this Christmas, and that I totally understood. I relayed my own experience with her that my Dad had died of cancer 15 years ago 10 days before my birthday. In fact I video taped him a month before he died and have never been able to watch it. I told her that this very week, my boys and I were watching old home movies and sure enough I had the courage to see/hear my Dad for the first time in 15 years. I told her that I too shed many tears this week.

We finished our conversation with me saying that I would pray that the Lord would comfort her heart. She said she really could use that comfort. She asked if she could give me a hug and I so absolutely. When we embraced, she did not let go, so I held her head close to me as I whispered this short prayer in her ear.."Father send your Holy Spirit to comfort her heart, let her know You, the Prince of Peace and may she find joy in the midst of her sorrow." Amen. She sobbed right there in line at the photo section of CVS right here in Edgewater! I just couldn't believe it! If you read this and believe in the power of prayer...say a little prayer for Melissa!