Shutting the car door with my foot, I threw my laundry bag over one shoulder and my computer bag over the other. I placed my makeup bag on top of the pizza box and headed towards my apartment building. Here are two words you could not use to describe me at this moment: wise and graceful.
I felt like a penguin waddling through the cold suburbs of Chicago. As I approached my apartment building, I passed an older woman who was carrying a box that was four times the size of her.
Relatable, I thought.
She said hello and trailed behind me as we both walked to the entrance. I held the door open and turned to let her pass through when I realized my mistake. She was piling all of her boxes on a bench next to the door, but wasn’t entering the building yet.
“Oh, thank you,” she smiled. “I should be getting the door for you.”
“No worries!” We both laughed and went our separate ways.
As I began walking up the stairs, my laundry bag slid down my arm. Just then, an urgent thought stole my attention. Go back and help her. Even still, I kept walking and moving away from the woman. The pizza box I was carrying tilted and I sucked in a deep breath as I tried to rebalance. Felicia, go back. My stomach growled with hunger. Help her. I stopped. I knew it was God. But I had more important things to do. Like eating BBQ chicken pizza and watching Netflix. Not to mention, putting all of this stuff down.
A picture flashed through my mind: I was standing in a kitchen — the roof had been ripped off and a heavy rain struck my face. The foundation was sinking. I cried out for help before a flood ripped through the doors and overtook me.
Then it clicked.
You know the story in the Bible about the wise and foolish builders? The one where a wise man builds his house with a foundation on rock. While the other man builds his house on the ground without a foundation? When a flood roars through the land, the house built on rock is not shaken, but the other house collapses. Right before Jesus shares this imagery, he says, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like” (Luke 6:46-47 NIV).
Will I choose to obey? Will I listen to the Holy Spirit? Will I sacrifice my own conveniences in order to show the love of God to someone else? My pizza will still taste good if I eat it when it’s cold, right? Convicted, I turned around and wobbled downstairs.
“Hey!” I gave my friendliest smile, as the woman walked my way with more boxes. “Do you want help carrying those?”
“Oh! That’s so kind. That’s so kind of you,” she repeated, like she couldn’t believe it.
“I’m happy to help,” I offered.
“These boxes are actually filled with things that I haven’t been able to sell. I’m leaving them here for now because I need to drive back to my condo to pick up a few more things. It’s just down the street. But I should be fine on my own. Thank you so much.”
“Of course! Are you just moving in?”
Tears welled up in her eyes. A brief moment of silence fell over the conversation. Then, she bravely lifted her head and told me, a complete stranger, “I’m getting a divorce.”
My heart broke for her.
“I’m sorry,” she sniffled. “Grief is a weird thing. Some days are harder than others. And today was really hard.”
I looked at this stranger and felt so much compassion for her. I wanted to tell her how loved she is. How brave she is for being vulnerable. How safe it is to break down, to hurt, and to not hold it all together. How strong she is for still standing. How her story is still being written and how, oftentimes, the deepest beauty unfolds from our deepest pain.
“I’m so sorry. I just want to give you a hug. Is that okay?” I asked.
She laughed and nodded. We embraced and I gave her the warmest hug I could.
I remembered the urgent thought that had popped into my head earlier: Go back and help her. She didn’t need help carrying boxes. She needed help carrying the weight of her pain. She needed to feel the love of God.
We pulled apart from each other, exchanged names, and continued to chat. I smiled, thinking about how the Holy Spirit prompted me to act in faith. But it wasn’t about me. The world doesn’t need more kind people. I mean, sure, it would help. But what the world really needs is to know the kindness of God.
Next time you hear that small whisper from the Holy Spirit to act in obedience, move. Stop entertaining the doubt and step out in faith. I promise — witnessing God’s love settle over someone is a million times better than warm BBQ chicken pizza.
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Thank you for the reminder to put others’ needs ahead of my own and how good it feels to obey God and put others first!
Thank you for reading! It was a good reminder for me too 🙂
Thank you for this sweet and challenging article. I especially loved this quote: She didn’t need help carrying boxes. She needed help carrying the weight of her pain.
Such a needed reminder for all of us.
Jenny, that was the line that got me, too. A beautiful reminder we all always needs.
Thank you for sharing your words with (in)courage, Felicia!
So grateful you took the time to read this, Rachel <3
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! So grateful it resonated
Amen! Thank you for sharing that. This story is precious.
So grateful it resonated. 🙂
So apt
Bravo Felicia!
Thank you for the encouragement.
By the way, your face (in your picture),
exudes your last name so very beautifully.
Blessings & thank you for blessing us with this writing.
You are the sweetest. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Appreciate you!
Convicted! Thank you, Felicia.
Thank you for reading!!
Hi Felicia……I really loved your words today. I like you had many similar situation like this and my Holy Spirit is always with me and whispers frequently to me. I found out by not listening 1 time many years ago and I still feel bad about that, but now, I pay attention as I live in a facility of over 100 residents that are older than me and I am 77 years old. We only have 1 elevator and with all of these women and men , some in wheel chairs and rolaters, it is difficult especially at meal times when everyone is trying to get to the dining room. I walk with a cane and that has become my “helper”. If I see someone who is trying to get to the elevator, I use my cane to make sure the door does not close before they get there. People are greatful for that and they don’t know my story which is how I got here due to my husband has Violent Dementia and tried to kill me and I had no choice than to divorce him. My grief and sadness is always with me, but I try to help others as that makes me feel better. Thank you Felicia for your words and I wish you a blessed weekend. Where I live, the weather is very bad for the next several days so I will be in my apartment relaxing for a change, which I don’t often have time for that. Love and prayers come to you from me and all of us should listen to that whisper from our Holy Spirit…………………..Betsy Basile
Wow… thank you so much for sharing a piece of your story, Betsy. There’s grace when we miss an opportunity, but it’s such a beautiful thing to invite the Holy Spirit in, act in obedience, and see the love of God in those precious moments. It’s life-giving! Sending big hugs.
Felicia,
I love how you listen to the Lord! It’s inspiring,
Sending you Valentine’s Day joy,
Lisa Wilt
Thank you for reading, Lisa! It’s a growing process, for sure 🙂
i love this! swift obedience?!?! i’m still working on that part 🙂
Joy,
My pastor calls those “Aha” moments when you feel the nudge to do something. God knows what people need who can act. You were at the right place at the right time. Matthew 25:40 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ We could also be entertaining angels.
Blessings 🙂
Thank you for such a sweet reminder that God will use us to meet the needs of others and our own if we listen.
I haven’t been listening but need to do better at it.
Thanks for sharing
Wow! I will be saving this amazing post! “Thank You”, Felicia Joy (Jesus, Others, & Yourself) for encouraging us with your inspirational devotional to keep our hearts sensitive to God’s voice. Next time you hear that small whisper from the Holy Spirit to act in obedience, MOVE – so true there were times when I did not take the time when I was so busy and then it was to late…Let’s LISTEN to God’s Voice! Loved what you said, “it wasn’t about ME…What the world really needs is to know the KINDNESS of God!” Also the quote that pulled on my heart-string was: She didn’t need help carrying boxes. She needed the help of carrying the weight of her pain. By saying, I’m so Sorry & Giving a Hug is one of the BEST ways you could ever help others by showing KINDNESS! Continue to SHINE bright, God Bless!!!