Finding Calm in the Unlikely
As I sat nervously in the waiting room, clutching my aroma-therapy washcloth and earplugs, I couldn’t help but think of the wise words: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
I was about to undergo a CT scan and MRI, procedures that, despite being harmless, always filled me with anxiety. But this time, I asked God to calm my nerves and provide me with a tangible reminder of His presence. As I waited, a kind stranger walked in, and our chance encounter turned out to be the answer to my prayer.
This gentle soul, a consultant with a warm smile, was there to instruct the staff on new procedures. We struck up a conversation, discovering shared interests and common ground. His calming presence was a balm to my anxious heart, and before I knew it, the time had flown by. As I prepared to undergo the MRI, he gave me a reassuring wink and thumbs up.
In that moment, I realized that God often uses ordinary people to be His hands and feet on earth. Sometimes, we’re called to minister to others, and at other times, He sends others to minister to us. That day, I found God in the calming presence of a stranger, a reminder that His grace can manifest in the most unexpected ways.
As we go about our daily lives, where will we find God? Will we recognize Him in the kindness of a stranger, the listening ear of a friend, or the comforting words of a loved one? May we remain open to His presence, and may we, in turn, extend His grace to those around us.
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