A Listening Ear

God always has a way of offering perspective, no matter what life situation you are in.

This moment to many may have seemed like any ole conversation and maybe rather minor to some, but it was this conversation that God used to give me perspective and open my eyes and heart to situations I walk by everyday.

It was after church on Sunday, a sweet little lady stopped to introduce herself. I had briefly met her during the congregational greeting time and I remembered that smile. You see, she had recently lost her husband and though I never knew him, you could tell by who she was, that they had a special relationship. I know the saying goes behind every man is a good wife, well I think that can go the other way too.

We were the last few to leave and while Mazy was busy smelling the flowers and attempting to set the car alarm off on our car, she kept busy while God taught me a deep life lesson. As much as this sweet lady appreciated talking, all the more, I appreciated her love and her openness to share her struggles.

She knew Dan was gone on the mission trip and wondered if we were going to stay busy this week. I explained to her all the wonderful invitations we had received for dinner and playdates, and she went on to tell me about the times her husband had left to go fishing and hunting, and how she’d always remember those lonely days.

Then she went on to say, “you know, the hardest part about life right now is having no one to talk to.”

As those words sunk in deep, my heart just started to cry for her. I saw this sweet lady, missing her husband of 65 years, wishing for the times of just sitting and talking to someone. She said it’s hard when she meets someone new or has a special lunch conversation, and has no one to share it with. It’s making me cry just typing this.

It made me think about our life. Our life without Dan. The things Mazy says that I wish I could quickly tell Dan. But then I realize I have texting. I could call if I really needed to. It was no mistake that I had this conversation with this sweet lady on Sunday. It made me even more thankful for a husband who is working hard, who loves kids, but also loves his family. One day death will separate us. And to see first hand on Sunday, what death does to a person and how a simple conversation about how the day was, will one day, be no more.

As we walked back to our cars and drove off, I looked in my rear view mirror, seeing her driving alone. Driving home to no one. Driving to a home that is void of human interaction. And here I drove, with a sweet 2 year old, telling me about how she likes the window open.

It was no mistake that God scheduled that divine appointment into my day. I can’t wait to get to know this lady more and maybe be that person she can tell about her latest fun events to. Be that someone she can talk to. Don’t get me wrong; she has family. She has people who love her and in fact I benefited from hearing about her kids and grandkids and oh the joy on her face when she talked about their presence in her life.

I just wonder who else God has “introduced” me to, who just needs someone to talk to? The cashier at the store? The person sitting on a bench? And maybe the lady sitting next to me in the pew? All I know is that there are many out there who go home to no one on a regular basis. Many who can’t share the excitement about a new relationship with. My eyes were opened on Sunday and it could not have come at a better time.