There are certain experiences that you can’t talk about right at first.  Some processing needs to take place before you can put it into words.  Most of the time it happens with difficult circumstances.  But this weekend I had an awesome experience that left me nearly speechless until today.

As you’ve seen in my earlier posts, the store where I am a vendor, True You, had its grand opening.  It was fabulous on so many levels.  Incredible vendors and their wares, the beauty of the store, the energy in the air, the wonderful food and a huge crowd of people who came through.   The day was almost electric.

They set up an intimate little corner for me to do book signings while my business partner, Raandi, ran the “booth”.  To be honest, I was a little disappointed at first.  I was in the back room with all the food and beverages (which, by the way, was gorgeously decorated!).  They put up a little table for me with two chairs and a place to put my sign on the wall above the table.  It was a beautiful and cozy little spot, but it felt like it was nearly invisible, especially given my stature-challenged self, behind the enormous food and craft table.

But as the day went on, I realized that that spot was EXACTLY where I was supposed to be.  As God always seems to do with HANDled, every time a book was purchased and signed, there was also an in depth and sometimes very emotional conversation that accompanied the transaction.  I sat in awe as I listened to some of these people’s stories.  God had brought them to me at the exact point that they needed a message of encouragement and hope.  Several had tears as they couldn’t believe that God had orchestrated such a meeting just for them.  A book that could help them on their new journey of faith and/or healing.

After running a marathon, the body is obviously fatigued.  Every part of you is exhausted.  After the miraculous encounters on Saturday, my mind, body and spirit felt as if I’d run 26.2 miles.   Or as I imagine it would (I hope never to find out for sure!).  It was a good exhaustion, but a complete wringing out of every fiber of my being.

Maybe that’s why it’s taken me two days to process and think through what actually happened.  What God had actually done.  And all over again, I feel humbled and so, so thankful.  God chose that quiet little place in the back most corner of the store so that people could feel safe, listened to and cared for.  Back in a place where I would not be distracted by all the comings and goings of the hundreds of people and conversations that were going on throughout the store.  Isn’t that just like God to take what we think is “not enough” and show us that it is more than enough.  He takes the small and makes it great.  Not because of anything that I did, but just because He could.  He knew all along, and let me in on the secret as He gave the gift of every sweet person that opened up their heart to me.

Thank you, Jesus, for knowing me better than I know myself.  For understanding my circumstances and their purposes, even when I am clueless.  Thank you that you see past my limited vision and operate from your vast awareness of each of us as individuals.  Thank you for loving me in spite of myself and for allowing me to share in this experience this past weekend.  Once again, you demonstrated your attention to detail and your perfectly timed plan for every unique person involved.  My mouth is still hanging, slightly open, in awe…

Ephesians 3:20 – Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.