I had just plopped myself down on a bench during a rare trip to the mall.
I was resting my feet. Watching people. Enjoying not having to be at work. Enjoying not having to be anywhere in particular.
My eye was caught by a young couple passing by, casually but nicely dressed. They were pushing a baby in a stroller and I remember thinking how happy and contented they looked. The little family disappeared from view and I continued to apply myself to people-watching, one of my favorite things to do.
And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the couple with the baby reappear. I thought, “Well, that’s kind of odd. They were just headed that way and now they’re headed back this way. They must have forgotten something.”
And then things got even more odd because this couple walked right up to my bench. They walked right up to me. They both smiled and the young man said, “Hi! Could we ask you a quick question?”
I said, “Well. Okay.”
He asked, “Would you mind if we prayed with you?”
I didn’t quite know what to say at first. I finally replied, “Well, I guess so. I can always use extra prayer.”
The woman said, “Is there anything in particular you would like us to pray for?”
The next thirty seconds were a bit awkward because, for the life of me, I couldn’t come up with an answer. My mind immediately raced to about twenty things I could mention, but then I ran into some trouble trying to put them in any order of importance and I didn’t think they were quite ready to pray for all twenty things.
I finally gathered my wits enough to say, “Well, there’s nothing in particular. You can just go ahead and pray.”
In my mind, I am adding, “On this public bench. In a crowd of people. At the mall. Like this is not weird at all.”
As the three of us closed our eyes, the woman started to pray. And within thirty seconds, I had tears streaming down my face because the things she was praying for without knowing anything about me were amazing. And the more she prayed, the more I cried.
When the woman said “Amen,” I looked up and thanked her and her husband with a face full of tears. They simply said, “You’re welcome. God bless you,” and disappeared around the corner with their baby in tow.
I’m used to praying at church, at home, and in the car. But to pray in a mall with strangers was a new experience. I sat on the bench for at least another five minutes, trying to staunch the flow of tears before too much attention was drawn to me.
As I think back to the circumstances leading up to that encounter, I realize how many things had to come into play for that “coincidental meeting” to take place. I just happened to be coming out of a particular store that had an empty bench in front of it and they just happened to be walking past that location just as I was sitting down.
To go to a mall, which I rarely do, and have someone randomly cross my path and pray such timely, encouraging words over me was amazing.
I know that not everyone who reads here believes in God, or believes in prayer. I’m not telling this story to try to convince you one way or another. I’m just telling it because this is what happened to me and it reminded me that God is aware of where each of us is in life and cares about the questions and struggles we have.
I love the verse in Psalms 139:14 that says we are fearfully (awesomely) and wonderfully made.
In other words, all the pieces of me didn’t just randomly fall together back in 1962 when I was growing in the womb of Jo Ann Campbell.
God’s fingers were in there, knitting me together. My heart for creativity. My wavy brown hair. My sense of humor. My love for travel. My gift for writing. The length of my toes. The shape of my nose.
He already knew way back then that in November of 2024, I’d be sitting on a bench in a mall, feeling a little forlorn and forgotten, and a young couple would stop by to pray for me and remind me that I hadn’t just been created and then cast aside. I was created with love and the love has followed me through every second of life.
This is a stressful season for many people. There are so many things dragging us down, so many things calling for our attention, our dwindling money, our limited time, our lagging energy, our waning hope.
We are supposed to create a Norman Rockwell Christmas when we barely have the energy to brush our teeth.
But we aren’t alone in the struggle, in the long days and longer nights. We aren’t alone in the stress of complicated family situations, trauma from the past, worries at work, and financial strain.
Regardless of what is going on now, regardless of the story of our beginnings, we were created with amazing intricacy and care by the very fingers of God. We were created with love,
And we are followed by that love, sustained by that love. The love of a Child in a manger who came to live on earth, the love of the One who still lives among us and in us today.
I wasn’t expecting to be prayed for on a bench at a mall. And you may not be expecting to see God’s love and care show up in unexpected ways during this season.
But keep your eyes and heart open.
He has shown up in a stable. He has shown up in a mall. And He will show up for you.
What about you?
Do you have anything to share about a time when something like this happened–an unexpected glimpse of God’s love and care for you?
This fall we hired a new guy at work, for various reasons he was not my first choice but none of my reasons were not enough to not hire him and I was not the main decision maker. I have worked closely with him since then and realized pretty quickly that his faith is very important to him.
We lost my dad to a very sudden and very short battle with cancer last week and every time I talked to the new guy (I was doing the best I could to coach him through some deadlines) he always told me that he and his wife were praying for us and I knew how much that meant because I knew how important prayer is to him. He also texted me at random times just to say he was praying for us.
After the worst two weeks of my life so far I look back and know that I could not have made it without him and I know that God put him there.
Anonymous,
First of all, I am so sorry you lost your dad so suddenly. It’s never easy to lose someone but when it comes so quickly, it’s even more difficult to cope with.
What a wonderful story about that man at work. Your closing line is so poignant. Someone you never would have chosen was put near you to help you during a painful and stressful time. God sees what will happen long before we do and I am so grateful for that.
Thank you for sharing your encouraging story. Sending many hugs to you and your family as you have your first Christmas without your dad.
Honestly, at such a time that you were at the mall AND sat on an empty bench AND encountered a couple who prayed and sought you out? Perhaps the same circumstance that brought me to read your story this evening sitting at my kitchen table where I paid my bills and now enjoy a cup of coffee. Thank you for the sharing your encounter with those of us who need this reminder; a reminder of He who paves the way before us. God bless!
Sarah,
I’m so glad my sharing of the encounter was an encouragement to you.
I loved your words, “A reminder of He who paves the way before us.” So true–for me, for you, for ALL of us!
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
It fills my heart with great hope for the future as I hear stories like yours of young people following Gods leading. After a life time of serving Him, God took a moment to let you know He sees you! My son and his girl friend did that same thing at a Chick-fil-A ( I had to stop and look up that spelling lol) they saw a couple sitting at a booth and felt led to go over and pray for them also. Seeing God moving in our younger people encourages me as an older person and warms my heart. So glad you had that moment!
Tim,
A comment from my big brother. How exciting! 😁
I’m glad my story was an encouragement to you; the story you shared was an encouragement to me! (I always have to look up Chick-fil-A, too.)
So good to see faith passed down through the generations and know that they aren’t just believing but also acting out what the believe. Love you guys!
I actually had a God-wink on an airplane this week when my seat mate and I found that we have gone through similar challenges in life. She at one end and me at the other. I was able to encourage her and show her that there is life and goodness at the end of the challenge. I love when God allows me to use a time in my life, that I never wanted to be in, to help someone else. He is faithful and nothing is wasted. Ever!
Lisa,
I love that story!
One of my favorite quotations is, “There are people waiting for you on the other side of your pain.” Sounds like you found that person! 🤍
I love this!! There is a man, he may be a preacher, not sure…. but he has visited my church before and others have seen him at theirs. He stays in the Walmart that I shop at a lot and twice lately he has come up and ask if he could pray for me. I always say YES!! He does this for a lot of shoppers in there and I love to see their reactions. Some steer clear of him but some bow their heads and hold his hand and let him pray. I feel like he is showing Jesus Love all over the place. I had a lady I know pray for me in Walmart one time when as we stopped to chat she wanted to pray for me after she found out I had breast cancer. Blessed my soul!!!! I know we all need prayers and it touches my heart that people would care enough to want to pray for me. I need prayers now a lot. My hubby has been diagnosed with PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy… a non curable brain disease similar to ALS. I am his full time caregiver. I can see him going downhill a little each week and it is heartbreaking. We have been married 51 years and I wasn’t ready for this. I lean on God every single day to get us through this and give me strength and wisdom to handle whatever we face. The best thing is… HE LISTENS AND IS THERE FOR ME ALL THE TIME! I don’t know how anyone can live in this world without Him.
Kaye,
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis. That is a tough, tough road but he couldn’t walk it with anyone better than you as his wife and caregiver.
To see him going downhill little by little is an extra difficult thing to witness, especially with all the memories you have of him in his healthy years.
Keep leaning on those everlasting arms, Kaye!
Love this! God knows our needs before we have them!
Alisa,
So true!
What a wonderful experience for you…thank you for sharing it with us…
SueEllen,
It was definitely one of those experiences that doesn’t come along every day, that’s for sure!
Wow! That was for you – because you were at the time and place He wanted you to be. That young couple were where they should be too. Praise the Lord. Not a coincidence!
Sharyn,
Definitely had my steps ordered that day! They were the sweetest couple; I’m thankful for them reaching out.
What a beautiful experience. You never know where and how he will show up. We are all going through something and to know He is there throughout it all. Have a blessed day and we are never alone.
Judi,
So true that we are all going through something. I try to keep that in mind when I’m out and about; it definitely helps me treat people with an extra measure of kindness and compassion.
Becky. What a wonderful blessing for such a time as this. This story absolutely blessed my heart. I am getting over some major surgery (still! and had it the last of August) and struggling to get my stamina back. I told the anesthesiologist as they took me back to surgery that I wasn’t worried because I was covered in prayer. To know you are being prayed for is one of the most wonderful gifts you can get. God always knows exactly what we need and when we need it and he always come through every time thank you so much for sharing this blessed story with me. ❤️
Gail,
Sorry it’s taking you so long to recover from your surgery. That can be so frustrating.
It’s funny how we take our stamina for granted until we don’t have any and we’re like, “I want my stamina back!”
Hoping you feel continue to feel strengthened and encouraged by the prayers around you.
One of the most lustrous of your golden posts! Thank you for sharing. 💖
Deb
Deb,
I love those words lustrous and golden together. Even though I don’t really deserve either of them, the words make a beautiful picture.
You are a great encourager!
Wondrous story!
Steve–thank you! Definitely a moment to remember.
What a great blessing that couple was.
I had an experience back in 32 years ago and I think of it still. It wasn’t prayer, but a helpful man. I was driving highway 40 for hours on end. I kept playing “leapfrog” with a red car. He would pass me, then I would pass him, for miles. I pulled off for a McDonalds and I saw he followed me off, but kept driving past McDonalds. I got my food and was just about to take a bite when a man walked up to me. He was clearly uncomfortable. He apologized for bothering me and said he didn’t normally do this, but God had impressed on him to help me in any way needed. He had followed me off but was too hesitant to stop at first. He said he drove on, but God convinced him to turn back. He actually took out his wallet and asked if I needed any help. My first reaction was to look and see where my purse was, it was safe. I said that I was fine and didn’t need help. He apologized again and left. My second reaction was to go look and see if he had hit my car and was trying to pay me off. That is when I saw the red car driving off, and realized it was my leapfrog car. I couldn’t shake the feeling and pondered what it was meant to be. Was it a lesson for me to try and help others, or a lesson for him to listen to God. I will never know, but it did remain with me.
Patti,
Hmm. What an interesting story. It does seem kind of odd that he felt like he wanted to help you financially but you weren’t in need, at that moment. Your final line summed up the situation well; a possible learning experience for you both.
It must have encouraged you to drive away knowing that there are some really kind kind people in this world!
This, my dear friend, is a word in season
Gordon,
Thank you so much for letting me know; I appreciate that.