During my errands one day, I popped into a store to check on the possibility of getting an item repaired. I was on the brink of being late to meet someone but, as is typical for me, I was trying to sneak ten pounds into my five-pound sack. (This is one of my weaknesses.) A beautiful sales clerk waited on me. She was immaculately dressed, hair and makeup perfect. Suddenly, I was ashamed of my sweats and ball cap.
She assured me she could help with my repair, so I ran back to my car to grab the item. Since I was in a rush, I handed her my business card, thinking she could get all my information from it and I could dash out to my lunch appointment and only be a few minutes late.
Photo by Alexandre Godreau on Unsplash
But God had other plans.
The title of my first book, Alongside, is printed on my business card so she inquired about it. I gave her a brief description as she typed all my pertinent information into the computer. She immediately perked up. We engaged in a few minutes of conversation as we found common ground in our faith and moved on from there.
I was definitely going to be late to lunch.
Before long, she disclosed some disturbing, painful information. “I can’t believe that today of all days you’d come in here. I was sexually assaulted over four months ago, and just this morning they assigned someone to my case. I’m in the middle of the mess and here you are, the author of a book about helping people in these kinds of situations!”
She went on to tell me several more intimate and challenging details about her life, including being divorced and raising a special-needs child on her own. Both of us sensed it was not a coincidence that I came into her store that particular day.
I felt compelled to pray for her, but was hesitant to do so in the middle of her workplace.
The Lifter of your Head.
Before that day, I’d been praying for a friend newly diagnosed with cancer. I felt like God gave me this phrase for her, “He will be the lifter of your head.” Because those words were playing repeatedly in my mind, I wondered if they were somewhere in the Bible. I found the reference in Psalm 3:3 which reads, “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
I wanted this sales clerk to know that God would be the lifter of her head. I wanted her to feel seen by Him, and by me. To know she wasn’t alone. That God had sent a perfect stranger to speak life into her day, to bring hope, and to validate the pain she was feeling. I knew I couldn’t leave the store without sharing this truth somehow.
So, as we were saying our goodbyes, I offered to pray with her, and she accepted. Right there at the front of the store, I prayed out loud for her. And those familiar words I’d been reciting in my mind over and over again came rushing forth like a tidal wave.
“Lord, you know this precious woman’s pain. You see her. You know what she’s facing and the agony she’s endured. That’s why you sent me here today, so she’d know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are standing with her in the devastation. Let me be her sign that you see her pain. Watch over her, keep her, protect her, and sustain her. May you be the lifter of her head. Thank you for seeing us, Lord, in the middle of the joy and the middle of the pain. Amen.”
With that said, we hugged, and I left. When I retrieved my repaired item several months later she wasn’t there. I may never see her again, but her story and struggle remain in my heart.
Inner Beauty
In light of her circumstances, the sales woman had every reason to be downtrodden. Yet, she wasn’t withdrawn or standoffish or hopeless. She was open and kind and transparent. And yes, I said she was beautiful on the outside, but even after talking to her for a short time I discovered her true beauty came from her inner peace and trust in God.
She inspired me. And I pray she will inspire you, too—to press on no matter how hard the road gets.
Friends, life is filled with pain, tragedy and heartbreak. Countless people, maybe you included, experience intense hardship every day. And it can feel like too much to bear.
But whatever pain you are going through, whatever struggle you are coming out of, whatever peril you might face in your future, remember this:
He sees you.
He will sustain you.
He is a shield around you.
He is with you in the valley.
And He is the lifter of your head.
[reminder]