Those that know me know that I like to cook. And, not just any kind of cooking. The things that I like to cook are just as much diva as I am. Therefore, when you need something like truffle oil and you’re just too tired to make a grocery run you do the next best thing — Instacart. It’s something I do a lot, actually. Even when I’m not tired. Maybe some would call that lazy but I just call it utilizing my resources wisely.
Two of my very best friends came over yesterday to hang out and help me with mundane chores. One friend brought two small cakes and some cannoli, but she couldn’t stay long. She came from Columbus to bring some cheer after picking up some things for Mama. Another friend came over in her pajamas to match my mid-day attire and started washing dishes. Almost immediately after she arrived, the Instacart order arrived. The lady who’d picked my order had been so sweet during the shopping process. She helped me find replacements for things that the store didn’t have. I normally hide from the delivery drivers like one of us has the plague, but this time, I went out to greet her while my friends stayed inside.
She introduced herself as Shae and chatted about the weather. She told me that she hadn’t originally intended to do Instacart deliveries today but mine came across from out of town. She knew that it probably wouldn’t be picked up quickly so she decided to go ahead and grab it. I had explained to Shae what a blessing she was to have picked the order up for me. I told her about how my mom had just started chemo this past week and I was just worn out from driving back and forth to Warner Robins. But, I told her that I was wanting to make my mom a good supper and needed a few things. She commented how when mama’s want something, we have got to make them happy. She then said that it made her just want to go love on her mama some more. After chatting, I told her to hold on because I had something for her.
When I stepped inside to get my purse, one of my friends asked me what was going on. I said , “come on outside and let me introduce you to my new friend, Shae.” I handed her an added tip and she got teary eyed. She said, “I knew there was a reason I picked up this order!” My friends stepped outside on the patio with us and as immediately as I had made a new friend, my friends did as well. One of my friends eased any fears she had about three crazy women coming out the door. Seeing the surprise in her eyes, she told Shae that we don’t hurt people, we love people. Then, she asked her how her faith was. Shae lit up and told us that she’d been listening to Joel Osteen on the way down here. My friend asked if she could pray for us, and there on the patio, three friends and one strangers grabbed hands to pray.
Everything happens for a reason, even if we don’t understand it. It sounds cliche but I promise there is reality to that statement. Shae didn’t understand why she changed her mind but when she left my house, she understood it. Sometimes we don’t understand the paths that we are on or when they will improve. But, sometimes it’s not even about the path anyway. It’s about the friends you have who surround you at your lowest. It’s about the people who show up for you even though they’re unsure why. It’s about the people in your circle who surround you with prayer. There’s power in the sweet moments of prayer when it’s just you and God. But, when people who don’t even know you join hands with strangers to pray for you, the blessings are multiplied.
I don’t know if I will ever see Shae again or if she will ever pick up another Instacart order for me. But, I hope she does and I can see her again. I hope she was as moved by what happened yesterday as I was. I hope that she went home and hugged her mama tight. I hope that she talked with God on her way home and thanked Him for the trip outside of her normal delivery zone. I hope that she went on to tell her friends about these crazy girls who prayed for her. That’s how the good news is spread. One human touching another human’s heart, and igniting a contagion of hope.
If you don’t think the people you surround yourself with is not important, think again. If your friends won’t come out on your patio to pray with an Instacart delivery driver while you stand there barefooted and in your pajamas, find you some new friends. You need people in your life who will put themselves in a prayer circle even in all of your imperfection, in all of your pain. Sometimes, it’s not even about you or the trial you’re going through. Sometimes, God uses you in the midst of the fire to touch someone else. We never know what people are going through and it’s hard sometimes to see outside of yourself when you’re going through it. I don’t know her story, but I know that something was heavy on her heart. I also know that she left with light in her eyes and joy in her heart. We were in the right place, at the right time, with the only thing that I want to help fight my battle — my prayer circle. I know it’s strong enough to change the world. It has already changed mine.
Messpot Diaries 