Putting Myself Out There

I put myself out there yesterday. I got off my computer and went for my walk yesterday with Boaz and good things began to happen. The Lord must have been in it yesterday, even though they were just small things they were on my mind and encouraged me.

Okay, so on my walk I had two people drive by. One was an elderly lady who smiled and waved at me. Then the mail lady drove by and so I turned to see who it was and waved at her; she smiled, and on her way back down the road again she drove patiently slow so as to keep the dust behind her to a minimum. This way Boaz and I didn't end up eating her dirt. I mouthed, "Thank You" and she smiled and mouthed, "Your welcome." A little thing, but it made me feel good that she was being so thoughtful.

I hit Fred Meyer again, because for some reason Abram continues to grow and needs things that fit him (so annoying...hehehe) and when checking out I stood in the "family friendly" line and made mention to the cashier how I appreciated it. All little things that should be considered quite normal, but my heart was in a different place about putting forth the effort. I was encouraged, and more keenly aware of people trying to be good.

Lastly, but definitely not least I was in Barnes and Noble waiting to meet up with Den and I was wandering about the aisles looking for a particular topic when I saw a twentyish year old man who had cerebral palsy (I believe he did, since I'm not a doctor). He was walking with a backpack on and his head was tilted to the side and his hands were close to his chest. He glanced at me and I smiled back and chirped, "Hi." He smiled with surprise, and he kept my glance for a bit. I walked past him and turned the corner to look down the next aisle. As I was standing there he turned the same corner and now we were both on the same aisle again. He looked at me and so I smiled and said, "Hi again." He walked closer to me and extended his hand for a handshake. I returned the gesture. When I shook his hand it was warm and a little damp. I could tell he was nervous. It made me sad because he was "putting himself out there" and it was a little awkward. Well the handshake was a little long but I slipped my hand from his and I asked him if he was having a good day to which he tried to nod, apparently unable to speak. I said, "Good. I am having a very nice one too." Then he opened up his arms and came in for a hug, so of course I returned the hug. It was warm and nice and I responded with a thank you. Yes, I will admit it was a bit uncomfortable to be hugging a complete stranger, but I surely didn't want him to feel that from me. After he let go he continued to look my face over for a long time as I just smiled at him. I then stated that I needed to go but it was nice to meet him. He nodded again, this time a little bit of drool came from his lips. It wasn't much, but again my heart went out to him, after all I am sure there was nothing he could do about it. What a difficult thing to have to deal with for him. So I said goodbye to which he wanted another hug. I, again, gave him another and we parted ways. I thought about how unusual that moment was. I thought about the awkwardness that I felt, but at the same time I had a peace about it. I know how important touch is. I have tried to stress that to my boys and have even mentioned it in my blog. I, personally, wouldn't hug a complete stranger on a normal day, but this man was hungry for love. He was hungry for some aknowledgement, obviously he didn't get much of that. It stayed with me for the rest of the day when I would think back on it. I was thankful that God had put it on my heart to "put myself out there".