i wrote a love letter to a stranger

I woke up late. 

Granted, I’d been out late the night before, so it it made sense. Right?

The ever growing to-do list in my head, I decided to throw it all out the window and head to Kroger. I wanted Starbucks, and I had groceries to get.

Nothing felt super out of the ordinary. I talked to Jesus like I normally do, perused the health section of the grocery store as always. I went to check out, and two employees were standing at the end of their rows, waiting for customers.

I locked eyes with the girl, and went to her row.

The usual “how are you’s” were exchanged between us, but her response wasn’t usual.

“Well, I mean, I’m better than I was an hour ago.”

“What happened an hour ago?” I asked.

“I have a mental disability–schizophrenia.”

…

That doesn’t normally come up in conversation, let alone grocery store small talk. I knew instantly this wasn’t a coincidental encounter, but didn’t know what else to say in the moment. 

I walked out of the store, bags in hand, and asked God what I was supposed to do.

“Write her a love letter.”

Of course! So I did. 

I told her how strong she was. How much of a fighter she was for people, but how she needs to fight for herself, too. She can’t forget that. She can’t forget how much Kroger needs her to walk through the door and ring up groceries and interact for the four minutes of a stranger’s checkout experience. It could make their whole day. It made mine.

I told her how close God was, even if he feels far away. How he cries with her and he really wants her to keep fighting. How he really, really likes her too.

Later that day I went back to Kroger to give her the letter. I assumed she’d gotten off of work already (which was true) so I searched for the manager. Naturally two of them were walking exactly towards me (thanks God). I gave them the love letter and left.

Sometimes, I think, God likes to woo us through random strangers. Sometimes he just wants us to be kind strangers.

Round two of this adventure on LeAnn’s blog.