Whitnee's journey with Christ

Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for 
their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his 
companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he
falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; 
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by
another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold coed is not quickly
broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NKJV)

Yesterday started off a little rough around the edges. I was exhausted physically due to lack of sleep and with all the doctors and nurses coming in and out, getting some sleep felt simply impossible. So I did what I do best, work and kept it moving!

Hours into the day had passed and I fought tirelessly to take a nap but couldn’t. My mind started wondering and I started to get home sick. I was missing my boys and Rico like crazy and not talking to them as often as I would like didn’t make things any better. 

Later on that evening I was heading downstairs to get some carrots. As I approached the elevator there was a lady who got on. I heard a sweet voice say, “are you going down.” Who knew one single question would turn into an hour conversation? 

As we exited the elevator, the gentleman who held the door for me and I got into a conversation about the tasty meal we had had earlier that day. As we walked toward the cafeteria we shared what brought us both to the hospital. By surprise we were both here supporting our loved ones who had throat cancer: my mother and his wife. We both shared what led us to where we were now and it is amazing how many similarities we had.

His wife and  my mother both had been diagnosed with cancer a second time. His wife and my mother both had a setback after the surgery with bleeding. What I lived through last week, he was experiencing now. We then moved to the subject of all the pain of the world with the racial disparities and things of that nature. We were both heavy hearted for various reasons but I’m glad God brought us together.

Our meeting was not just by chance. He was my God send. For the next forty minutes or so we both talked and I was able to share my experience with him. His heart was burdened as he thought of his precious wife and what she was currently going through. Knowing that my mom had been in ICU all last week I was able to give him a few words of encouragement. 

He had mentioned that riding his bike bought him peace but he had left it at home although his wife had encouraged him to bring it. So I told him if that bought him peas and that was his way of feeling connected to God and he should go rent a bike. I told him I Find peace and reading the word of God and also writing. I told him that I had started a journal beginning the day of my mom surgery and that I would write every day until we left. He encouraged me to publish it and said that he wished that he had something to read that would bring encouragement to him so I told him about my website. 

He asked me where did I get my strength. I boldly told him that my strength comes from God. He mentioned that this experience was a test of his faith and I told him to look to God and not the current situation. I mentioned the movie Bruce Almighty and that although God was busy but  he was never too busy I hear the cries of His beloved child. 

I told him that he was not alone and we would get through this together. I was in need of help and ended up receiving encouragement. He helped me to see that God brings us comfort when and where we least expect it. I didn’t feel so alone after our talk. I could see the pain in his eyes but only if he could see God smiling down on him. I told him God was bottling each and every one of his tears. We talked some more and we shared. I asked for his wife’s name and said I would pray for them. I don’t recall if I ever gave him my name. 

Do you want to know the crazy thing? Not only did we have so much in common, I found out he was my neighbor. His wife moved to the room right in front of my moms room. I had seen him earlier kneeling by his wife’s bedside, what an act of love. I never met a stranger!

God wants us to encourage one another. I witnessed his anxiety turn into peace- what a joy! The Bible says a good word will make a mans heart glad. I was so happy God used our pain to encourage one another. In such a time of need. God filled our hearts with joy and peace. 

So he is on a different floor now and I’m sure he is afraid but I will be here to help him through this. I showed him pictures I took and the picture of my mom and her “happy feet” and it made him smile. 

Don’t ever be too busy that you can’t take the time to listen to someone or take the time to speak because you never know how God will move. Though I was exhausted, God renewed my strength. He mounted me up like an eagle with wings. 

I should have prayed for him right then and there but I’ve taken the opportunity to pray for him and his wife and will continue to pray for him. 

To the gentleman on the elevator I will say, May The God  of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord Christ Jesus.

Comments welcomed below.