Her tiny frame shook with sobs as she stood before me. She obviously knew me and yet I hadn’t a clue as to her identity. Beautiful jet black locks framed her delicate features. Her big brown eyes filled with tears. 

It was one of those tender weeks for me, where my failures and shortcomings seemed to rush in like a flood. Everything I did and said seemed wrong and I wondered if the Lord could ever use me again. My mind had been a jumble of emotions and I was feeling rather pitiful. Was I making a difference? Did my life have any meaning? 

Exhaustion and lack of devotional reflection had let my feelings crowd out His truth about me. I had taken a day for myself to work through my emotional dilemma and pray through some of the whiny and selfish thoughts that had been in the forefront of my mind.

So here I was praying, processing and strolling through the historical district.  Basically, minding my own business and trying to be alone.  

This particular district had the kind of cute and fancy shops you would never take the little ones into, especially with a stroller.  The sound of music box music drew me into one of my favorite shops filled with beautiful and expensive snow globes and music boxes.  I’m a sucker for them.    

 

The darling little shop keeper began to follow me around as I went through the tiny shop, winding keys and filling the air with beautiful music. I thought she was ensuring I wasn’t going to steal something by the way she kept looking me over. I suppose I did look and act rather suspicious.

She came quickly round a corner and taking one look at me declared, “I know you!” and then immediately burst into tears. I desperately tried to remember her, and what I had done to make her weep so. For the life of me, I simply couldn’t. I felt so ashamed. 

 

 

“You probably don’t remember me, but I remember you. I have been praying to the Lord for years to meet you again. I can hardly believe this.” 

Customers looked on in disbelief while she wept uncontrollably in my arms.  When she was finally able to compose herself, she shared her story…

“You used to carry me on your shoulders and tell me about God and His love for me. You told me that I was special, and that I was born for a purpose. You said I was meant for great things, and I believed you.” At that moment I looked into her eyes and saw the adorable little Mexican girl who used to follow me about in the barrios, and charm me with her contagious smile.

Here she stood, all grown up with a faith of her own. She had come to the US to study, loved the Lord with all her heart and had an amazing testimony of His goodness in her life. She had been praying to see me again, so that she could thank me for believing in her and tell me how God had worked in her life. We hugged, we cried and chatted with the other customers who stood by in amazement as the whole scene unfolded before theirs eyes.

I was able to share God’s love with a couple who stood dumbfounded before me while she rang up their order.  As I told them of His extravagant love, she began to weep uncontrollably saying, “Thank You Jesus.” I moved behind the counter to hug her and help her regain her composure. We both cried.  It was an amazing experience.  

I am continually amazed at how the Lord uses ordinary people to display His extraordinary love.

 

God uses ordinary people to display the extraordinary wonder of His grace and love to a hurting world.

 
Stasia is mother to six beautiful children and wife to a dedicated, loving husband.
They have served as a family together on the mission field on four continents for nearly 30 years. 
Stasia’s passion is to share in true colors the grace of God in her life. 
You can read more about her and the ministry of the Women’s Bible Cafe here.
Meet Missionary Mom and Ministry Leader Stasia Nielsen
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