Me Thinks

Last night I ran an errand to a store where I needed to both return an item and purchase an item. I stood with a box at my feet in the customer service line behind a lady, and the line behind us grew. It was a very long wait and I exchanged glances with the lady in front of me as we waited because we both noticed the slow service. 
The lady in front of me asked me if I was in a hurry and if I would like to go in front of her as she had a cart full of items to return. I told her that she had been in line longer than I had and that I was fine to proceed in order. Later, she turned and asked me again if I would like to go in front of her. She added, "It doesn't really matter if I go. It's been a really bad day." I then asked her about her day and she said, "It hasn't just been a bad day.  It's been a bad week, a bad month, a bad year." I told her that I was sorry that she was going through a hard time. She mentioned something about feeling like life wasn't worth it, that she didn't matter, and that no one cared. "I am alone. My relationships are not working out." At this point tears were streaming down her face while she spoke quietly. 

I hoped the line would not move and that I would have a chance to bolster her before she was called up to the register. I prayed that God would give me words to say. With confidence born of the Spirit, I told her that she is important, that her life matters, and that she would get through this rough patch. I told her that God knows her and is aware of her feelings and sufferings. She was appreciative of the meager verbal sentences I offered to her. 

She was called up from the line and I was soon called up to a register next to hers. When I finished my return, she was still in the middle of her transaction, but I touched her shoulder and told her to hang in there, and that I was happy our paths crossed today. She thanked me.

I lay in bed later thinking about her. I prayed for her, and I hope that God will particularly lift her in the days to come.