Whitnee's journey with Christ

Some may say what kids are being taught as evolved over the years. I mean take a brief moment to think about it- when you were a child what did mommy and daddy teach you?

• Don’t look a man in the eye when they speak to you.
• Always say yes ma’am or no ma’am.
• Stranger danger.
• If you get stopped by the police do exactly what they say.
• Don’t eat candy from strangers.
• Never walk down a dark street alone.
• You better be home before the street lights come on.
• And the list goes on……..

Here is where age really comes into play right??!!!

Well growing up in elementary in the Dare program (how many of you remember the D.A.R.E. Program that your local sheriffs office took part in? They taught us “stranger danger.” I successfully completed the program but let’s just say some of those teachings have gone out the window.

In more seasoned years, I’ve learned a few things about myself. One thing is, I never seem to meet a stranger. It seems like I can be just about anywhere and make new friends. Even when I’m not looking to mix and mingle, it always seems to be at least one person that God placed in my path at a particular time in my life that truly blessed me.

On Friday I met yet another angel. Her name was Penny!

It was about 6:35 in the morning on Friday when Rico and I were on the road headed to my favorite Friday “self care” spot. It had been raining all through the early hours of the morning but that didn’t stop me one bit. You see Friday’s I find energy from out of the sky to go spend some time roaming around finding all kinds of treasures to bring home for family and friends or things I know I would like in my new home once we are blessed to find one.

As we drove up to the building I counted about eight or nine people standing in line. Everyone had their lawn chairs, Rico and I were the only silly ones who came empty handed. The last person in line is I came up and stood about nine to ten feet apart. I greeted everyone and said good morning but only received one reply. You guessed it, Penny replied!

She said “good morning!” Shortly after Rico went back to the car and I stood there alone. Penny had started to make small talk and before we know if we had been engaged in a very healthy conversation. She told me she was Penny from Tampa, Florida. She sold things on E-Bay and had heard Tornado Josh on YouTube talking about this store so her and her husband got in the car and traveled all the way to South Carolina just to see what all the hype was about.

She asked me if I thought she was crazy and I told her I was not one to judge. I had come out several Friday mornings consecutively and if anyone was crazy I guess it would be me knowing I was in line at 6:35 and the store didn’t open until 9. So we talked and laughed and shared with each other. She had told me her husband had been diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer. Although he knew he “was going to die” he had asked God to allow him to continue living his life free of pain and doing what he enjoyed the most- fishing.

After retirement, Penny being in the healthcare field for over 40 years could not wake up one more morning without anything to do so she started selling items on E-bay. Like me, she was an avid thrift store shopper. She and I both love places like Goodwill. Her husband on the other hand after retirement loved to garden, fish, and spend time doing different things where he could work with his hands.

Over the next couple of hours we talked, laughed, and praised God together. I had told her about my mom and the journey to where she is now. She had shared some about her neighbors and how she wanted God to use her to bring “some sense” to her neighbors about who God was. She was intimidated by folks who could recite biblical scriptures off the top of their heads. Another thing we had in common, neither of us could do it.

Her husband who had been resting in the nearby hotel came to check on her. He had such kind eyes and the brightest smile. He was simply dressed with a University of Florida gators hat on. Penny had to go to the car to handle some business with a VA bill her husband had received so I had the pleasure of speaking with him.

By this time it was after 8am. Boy how time flies when you are having fun!

Jasmine came and she too joined in on the conversation. Jasmine is not as talkative as me but she included a couple of head nods and okays. It was about 8:30 now when Rico and Micah came walking up. It was almost the time we had been waiting on, the doors would open up at 9am. I gave Penny some pointers on how to look around so she could find good deals. We had a great conversation, but like always all good things come to an end. It was game time now- and I had my poker face on.

As we all scattered after getting our buggies as I looked around stumbled across something I didn’t know what it was but it looked interesting so I picked it up. Come to find out it was a deep sea fishing rod. The brand was Penn and I was told it cost hundreds of dollars. I just knew I had to get this for Penny’s husband but they were no where in site. I still had it and just knew I would find her- and I did. I walked up to her and showed her my find and she blushed in amazement. When I handed it to her she was shocked. I told her I had told her husband if I found fishing gear I would give it to him and God blessed me to find it.

Now every time he goes deep sea fishing he can remember the young lady from South Carolina who sat outside and talked to them for hours. They were such kind people. We encouraged one another and prayed for one another.

I told her about the Koinonia Women’s Support group and also about my website. Man I wish I would have gotten her number. Like the guy from MUSC whose wife Joy was in the hospital room directly across from my mom- I wish I would have gotten his number as well.

Well one thing in common- they were both angels that’s for sure!

Penny and I felt the burden of being a caregiver for my mom and her husband BUT God allowed us to see the joys of what it meant to be beside someone you loved and cherished dearly. We may not be able to recite scripture off the top of our head but we sure can show others how to love selflessly and encourage others to develop a relationship with God.

In conclusion, the moral of today’s message is to always engage in fellowship with one another. You never know just how you can bless that person and in return God use that person to bless you!