In the Parking Lot

One Saturday morning I took a quick trip to a neighborhood supermarket. As I walked towards the entrance, I saw a couple with a young toddler. The baby caught my attention and I said hello to her. I think that probably made the man feel comfortable enough to approach me. He asked if I knew where a particular hotel was and where he could get a taxi. I stopped and tried to help. As I spoke with him [ his English skills were at best, beginner], I felt the need to do more than just give information. I offered to take them to the hotel.

Their story was quite interesting. They were on vacation from South America and were supposed to go on a cruise out of South Florida. Upon arrival at the port, they realized their toddlers passport/ travel document had expired while on vacation. They could go, but could not re-enter the US with the expired document. The company that coordinated their vacation offered them a trip to Disney in Orlando instead. They were placed on a bus for the 3-hour ride and dropped off in a parking lot knowing no one or where they were. Not knowing who they could trust and uncomfortable with their limited language skills. They were also in a foreign country in a city they had never visited before.

There I came. That morning I had whispered a simple prayer , ‘ God use me today to be blessing.’ He did. While taking this family to the hotel, I found out that they were believers in Christ also. Even with the language barrier, our hearts connected. Why does this encounter sit at the forefront of my mind? It reminds me :

• That God takes care of His children
• If ever I’m lost, He’ll lead me home
• God has His people positioned everywhere to be His hands extended
• I am never abandoned because I didn’t do it perfectly
• God is way ahead of us- making provisions for the twists and turns we may encounter
• The world is God’s palette. He paints the most beautiful picture of His providence and unconditional love for all people groups
• In this world that can be so harsh at times, strangers can connect by divine design – even if just for one moment in time

*** You are never so lost or abandoned that you can’t be found. The often unseen eyes and hand of God knows where to find you – even in the midst of your structured mayhem.