Each One Reach OneSample

Divine Encounters

One of the first amazing encounters I experienced after asking God to help me shine my light happened when I stopped at a Sam’s Club to pick up a bouquet of flowers for a friend.

When I told the clerk I didn’t have a membership, a woman stepped into line behind me and said, “If you’d like, you can use my card. Then you can get the discount!”

I turned back to her and said, “Why, thank you! God bless you!”

“Child, I need a blessing,” she immediately responded. “My grandkids have moved in with me. I have a thirteen-year-old grandson, and that young man is keeping me on my knees.”

Without thinking too much about it, I said, “I pray that God will open up the windows of His heaven and shower down so many blessings upon you and your grandkids, you won’t have room enough to receive them all.”

That dear lady lifted up her hands and began to praise God. This moment was natural and spontaneous. We were just two sisters in the Lord, enjoying God’s presence in the checkout lane of Sam’s Club.

I realized that a second young woman had stepped into the lane. She said, “Excuse me, ma’am. But if you don’t mind, would you bless me too?”

Recalling Proverbs 3:5–6, I said, “Oh, precious one. The Lord loves you so much. He does want to bless you. He wants you to live for Him and trust Him with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. But in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

That young woman reached out to hug me like a long-lost friend, as tears streamed down her face.

After I checked out, I waved goodbye to my new friends and headed toward the exit where an attendant checked my receipt. As I stepped toward the parking lot, he called after me: “Would you bless me too?”

I laughed and prayed over him the blessing from Numbers 6:24–26. After I finished, he said with a hearty voice, “Amen, I receive it.”

I left Sam’s Club with a gift for my friend and a gift from God. I was determined to let go of my inhibitions and let God show me times when I can shine His light.

Lord, what opportunities do you have for me today to shine Your light? Amen.