Play It Forward

She seemed interested and sympathetic as I explained that my husband had died less than a year ago. She asked how…you seem so young. I explained…and we unbeknown to us began a “ heart-to-heart” relationship.

While leafing through a very large ledger as she listened, she would make eye contact. (They were not computerized at this rental agency. In my opinion, technology has taken away the “human touch”. People are so into the screen that there is no eye contact!) So, this just added to the southern charm and sealed a place in my heart for her.

We chatted as she perused the cottages that were available. She told me she had been a school teacher, now retired and that her family had owned the business for over 30 years. She and her husband preferred to carry on the office in the “traditional way”. “It worked for my parents, and it works for us,” she said. She told me that her husband was very involved in local governmental affairs. Her husband worked with others to maintain Holden Beach as a family oriented vacation spot while she and her staff ran the office.

We found the perfect place “Martian’s Roost” for the kids and I to spend a few days. As we completed the rental agreement, I decided that Holden Beach Properties would have my business from now on.

Fast-forward three years. It is mid week of my vacation with my girlfriend of 30 years. It is time to reserve our cottage for next year. I’m excited to see Pat and the girls at the rental office. I run up the wooden stairs, open the door, hear the warm familiar ring of the bell announcing my presence and Pat walked out with the same genuine warm smile and greeted me by saying; “Well, if it isn’t my friend Nora Daggett!”

I begin by telling her how wonderful our cottage by he sea is and how marvelously awesome God is to allow me one more year at Holden. I give the pot-a-note version of the past year, my book, and my new relationship. I notice her eyes were kind, as always. But, there was also a hint of sadness, I thought to myself. She listened to me and then said, “So there is joy on the other side, I lost David this year.”

I stopped in mid-sentence. Time stood still as I wrapped my mind around her words. I moved towards her and asked her if I could hug her and before she could answer my arms were pulling her toward me and I began to pray. “Lord, God, hold her tender fragmented heart in your hands and heal it. Hold her close Lord and give her peace. You promise in your word, Lord, that you will carry us through sorrow and over the bumpy roads of mourning and we claim that right now, In the name of Jesus!”

I held her for a few more seconds…heart touching heart…strength touching weakness.

I knew in that moment that God’s promise in Isaiah 61:4 was true. I was “a mighty oak of righteousness, planted for the Lords glory!” I held this verse close to my heart as I walked the road from mourning to joy. Now I was playing it forward.

Scripture: Isaiah 61: 3-4. He will comfort all who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness: They will be called mighty oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He maybe glorified.