A Hug From a Random Stranger

You never know what—or WHO—God might use to show you His love in the midst of a difficult time. And when He does show Himself strong on your behalf, often all you can do is stand back in awe.

One morning last week, my day got off to a particularly rough start. After getting my wits and emotions put back together, I headed to the store for my weekly grocery shopping. Ordinarily, I like to get out the door at just after sunrise, but thanks to the morning’s drama, I was later than usual.

As I drove, I begged God to do a mighty work—and hold me close to His heart.

By the time I got to Wal-Mart, the tears had dried, but my heart was so heavy. I desperately needed to be reminded that God was right there with me, holding me in His arms, wiping away my tears.

“If you can’t see His way past the tears, trust His heart.” D.L. Moody

As I shopped, I passed a lady with a sweater that had been inscribed on the back in craft paint with the words of Psalm 16:8—“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved”—along with the words “Jesus Loves You.” Now ordinarily, I’m not the type to walk up to random strangers and start talking about their clothes, but I felt God prompting me to speak to her. So, as I walked by, I casually remarked that I loved her sweater.

Well, before I knew what was happening, this dear angel from God stopped her shopping, walked over to me and said, “For THAT, you get a hug!” And promptly proceeded to envelope me in her arms.

I must say, this was probably the first time I’ve been hugged by a random stranger in Wal-Mart, but this wasn’t a mere coincidence. This was a divine appointment—-a special delivery of a gift from God sent to comfort my soul. She had no idea what I was going through at that exact moment or how badly I needed even that small dose of reassurance.

I don’t know who that lady was, or if I will ever see her on earth again, but I can’t wait to see her on the other side of eternity. I want to have her over to my mansion for a cup of tea so I can thank her for becoming God’s loving arms on earth.

Because her hug was not just a simple hug; it was a powerfully real reminder of how much God loves me—-and how He will always faithfully see me through.