But if you can, you begin to understand what God wants to see in you.

This weekend is College Championship Games (Big 10, ACC, SEC, Big12). So you know where I wanted to be. In front of the TV enjoying all the games.

Well, my wonderful husband said to me in the morning that he had two projects he wanted to complete. Now, I pressed him on what they were because I knew that my day would be altered due to the outcome of these so-called “projects.”

Long story short, our door handle was in need of repair. And the mechanism inside was completely destroyed. So someone had to go to the local hardware store and get a new handle.

Did you know that it was only 8 minutes until the start of the first College championship game? Oh yes! I was not thrilled. But hopeful, that I could locate what I needed swiftly and be home in a jiffy.

That didn’t happen. Instead, I found myself speaking with a worker there. Not about what I needed (and yes, I did ask, but the answer was given quickly), but the story of his life.

And his story was not short to the point. It was a minimum of a forty-minute recap of his life from college to the present.

All I can say was that my sign, “Tell me your life’s story”, must have had bright Christmas lights flashing.

Without going into a lot of detail, there were millisecond moments that I shifted to another conversation both in my head and with God.

Now don’t call me crazy just yet. There is a reason I’m sharing this story.

• First, it was all about the hardware, what I needed to buy.
• Second, I was missing my football and just wanted to make a decision.
• Third, I knew this man’s life story was important and deserved my attention.

After what seemed like an eternity (probably 15-20 minutes or so), I simply asked God, “Why am I here?”

My plan was not to go anywhere, but to finish decorating the house for Christmas and watching football while spending time with the family. The last thing I wanted to do was be in a hardware store.

But you know how that ended.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Humble yourself!

You see at the moment where I asked God why I was here, the man told me how he had been spared nine times. Just last year, he had three heart attacks.

He even told me about his first accident where he went over an embankment with a 35 feet drop only to have his car broken in half, yet he walked away with only a scratch. 

God was not finished with him then, and He’s not finished with him now.

So as the young 90-year-old continued his story, I was deeply struck that this could be the only reason why I was to come to the hardware store that day. It was to hear his story. And maybe this would be the last time he would tell the whole story.

And I would be the one blessed to hear it. Humble yourself.

From that moment on, what I needed didn’t matter anymore. My purpose at this time was to listen intently to a great man who served his country and still cares for people in a unique manner.

Maybe it was my glimpse into my life to come; serving others regardless of age. Yet it would be with my bright flashing sign that reads, “Tell me your life’s story.”

At the moment, I knew this was exactly where God wanted me. Yes, it was an interruption to my day. But a greater blessing because of it.

To Bill, you will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for your service, your kindness, and your spunky attitude. Your strength is your story!

Today, I want to encourage you to be hyper-aware of where God can use you.

“Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” ~ James 4:10

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“