Friday I walked out to get the mail. A man was walking down the road in my direction. He was unkempt and was carrying a large bag on his back and another in his hand.
He nodded his head as he got nearer to me, I smiled and said “Hello”, he smiled back and kept walking as I turned to walk back to the house.
Today I was listening to music and all of a sudden memories from years back came flooding through my mind.
In the 1970’s I was working in the front yard. A man that I had never seen before came to the fence and told me he was hungry and asked if I would give him some food. This man was very thin and looked as unkempt as the the man I saw Friday.
I asked him if he would like a sandwich. He replied that he would like anything to eat. I prepared him a sandwich and took it to him. He was ever so grateful and thanked me as he walked down the street eating the sandwich. I have never forgotten that man nor have I ever seen him again.
Some years later we were at a eating establishment. As I stepped out of our vehicle a man in the next parking space got out of his van at the same time. We spoke and then he told me his wife had just passed away and he was having a difficult time. I stood and listened to the man as he shared with me until he was ready to go eat.
Another time I was grocery shopping. A man and myself were deciding on which eggs to get. He began sharing some of his life and we talked about eggs and a few other things before going our separate ways to finish our shopping.
Why do I vividly remember these occasions after all these years?
I came up with this question What if God places certain people or certain things in our path and life just to remind us of what we should do?
Have you ever thought about why some people cross your path for just a few minutes and you don’t see them again, but you remember them?
I hope to be more attentive to those around me and things that happen in my life and never forgetting what came to my mind today. Pleasing the Lord and bringing honor and glory to Him is my goal.
Being kind to others and lending an ear if called for is not a difficult thing to do. Giving a smile and a simple greeting is easy and that just may be all someone needs to change the way they feel.
Hugs and blessings to all.
40 responses to “Have you ever thought about…”
this post kinda tells me…there’s still people that need help, and not all people will backstab you. thanks grandma mags! (I hope you dont mind me calling you that, im kinda used to calling elderly grandpa or grandma)
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I don’t mind you calling me Grandma at all. Thank you for coming by and leaving your sweet comment. Hugs and blessings
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None of our paths crossing are ever an accident…….they are all orchestrated by our powerful and all-knowing GOD. May we be soft hearted towards our fellow humans and notice them in their time of need.
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Thank you, for reading and leaving your nice comment. God for sure does not cause or have accidents. I hope to never miss doing what He would expect me to when encountering strangers or anyone in need. Blessing to you.
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And you as well. Thanks so much for visiting here. Comments always warm the heart!!
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You are so right. Much like God’s orchestra, where each and every note comes into play making perfect music. And we get to be a part of the song!
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Thank you, Robert for reading and leaving the nice comment. I love the way you compared it to God’s orchestra. Blessings to you.
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I am always puzzled at how something insignificant sticks with you and may be you are right, they must just look like insignificant episodes otherwise why they would stick so vividly in your memory.
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It puzzles me also.
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What a beautiful post, Mags! I agree with most of the others commenting here. I believe that God puts people in our path, sometimes for our benefit and sometimes for theirs. We just have to choose to respond. Blessings!
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You are right that we have to choose to respond. Hugs and blessings Peggy. I hope you had a wonderful day.
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Thank you, Mags, and blessings and hugs to you!
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A very thoughtful post. I think everyone we meet is for a reason, but certain people stick with you more. It is interesting. I often think a lot about things like this so it was wonderful to hear your thoughts on the matter!
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Thank you, so much for reading the post and sharing your thoughts. I too think everyone we meet is for reason. I wonder if we always know what the reason is.
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I believe people do come into our path for many reasons. Sometimes, it is for what they teach us and what they do for us, and sometimes, it is what we teach them or do for them. We do not always know why, but whether we do or do not do something, it is important to do it with love and kindness, as I see it.
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Thank you, so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. I like what you had to say. I never thought of it in a way of teaching us or them. thank you so much. Hugs and blessings.
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Yes! I feel, as you do, that God sends people to us for a reason. I pray to be always ready.
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I pray I will be too. Hugs and blessings
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I agree with you. And during our travels people have helped us when we needed help. We may not remember the details of those places but we remember those people.
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That is wonderful. There are many good, kind and generous people in the world. Hugs and blessings
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Selfishness seems to be the mantra most adhere to today Maggie and it is so gratifying to see there is a minority that spares the time to care about those around them. Sometimes it’s just a smile as we pass people that is what’s needed by them at that time. I remember walking with my wife in a shopping complex and my wife always smiles at people as they pass by. A woman tapped my wife on the shoulder from behind startling her as it was unexpected. She said she’d been coming to this shopping centre for years and no one had ever smiled at her in passing before. That is so sad! She obviously needed someone to notice her. We took a year off from work so I could complete my final CPA requirements in 1970 and lodged in a city apartment complex with lots of apartments above our street level unit. It was impossible to get to know anyone there as they departed for work early and returned from work late and never acknowledged anyone they passed in the hallways. So different to the country area I grew up in where we were in and out of each others homes in the neighbourhood and enjoyed each other’s company and helped each other.
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Thank you, Ian for reading and taking the time to leave a comment. I always look forward to what you have to say in your comments. I love what you shared about the lady and the smile. We may never know when such a small gesture changes how a person feels. Bless your wife for sharing those smiles. With your wit and humor I bet you have made a lot of people’s day better. I know you have given me many smiles and some out loud laughter. Blessing to you and your wife.
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Thank you so much for the encouragement.
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Wow, I too have wondered why random people cross our path, we chat and then never see each other again. Were these people Angels? People I meet in the grocery store or on my bike rides, were they Angels? I’ll never know but God does!
I extended my usual bike path ride very recently which took me past a church that I have been wondering about. There were some members there so I stopped in to say hey, we all had a great chat. I’ve been wanting to find a new church…
It seems like God has brought me to that church, Mags?
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I have wondered too John if they are Angels or if they are people who just need a smile, a chat or someone to care. You are right God knows.
That is great John that you may have found a church. Many blessings, John. Have a wonderful day.
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Thank you, you too Mags!!
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WoW … What a post, Mags. God truly places people in our path for a reason. Every encounter is an opportunity to show His love and kindness. Your heart for others shines bright. 🙏
Be Blessed and Continue to be a Blessing…
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Thank you, dear Willie for reading and commenting. I just hope I am always ready when God places people in my path to do whatever He puts in my spirit and heart to do. Prayers and blessing for you and the family.
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It’s good to help people who need it, but at the same time, our world has changed so much that we have to be more careful around people who would take advantage of us. Addictions to drugs make people do violent things just for that next fix, and behave in ways they wouldn’t do if they weren’t addicted. So I suppose we have to find a balance and help people more carefully nowadays.
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting Anneli. You are right and I agree. But I hope I never miss a time when someone comes across my path that I can give a much needed smile, a “Hello” or food when it is safe to do so. I trust the Lord to help me to know what and when to do it. Hugs and blessings and have a great day. BTW I enjoy your blog very much.
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Thanks, Mags. People should be kind to each other, but these days, we do have to be careful. We need more people to be nicer to each other!
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Yes indeed we do. Being nice takes so little effort.
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I do firmly believe that all things happen for a reason, and we will regret it if we do not follow through on our instincts. Back about that same time (1970s) I was shopping and walking through a big crowded department store. I looked across a couple of isles and my eyes connected with the gaze of a woman who looked exactly like me!!! It was like looking in a mirror!!! I could tell from her expression that she was thinking the same thing. I let the incident slip past and didn’t introduce myself. I have always regretted it!!
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You are right Vero that we will regret it if we don’t follow our instincts. Wow! That would be amazing to see yourself in another person. I have heard that we all have a double, If that is true that lady must have been yours. Thank you so much for reading my post and sharing your experience. Hugs and blessings
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It must have meant something because the incident and her face are still etched on my brain after all these years.
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I believe you both were so amazed to see yourselves in each other that you didn’t know what to do.
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I absolutely believe that God puts people in our paths for a reason, Mags! And sometimes even angels :)
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
The earthly and heavenly realms are more connected than we could know… and everything we say and do on earth resonates in heaven. Good for you for showing kindness to these people :)
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Thank you, for your comment Jean. I know the scriptures on the subject, but sometimes things have to come to me in a simple way, maybe childlike for it to really register with me even at my age.
I mostly wonder why the incidents from years ago stay so fresh in my mind when they are not the only times incidents like those have happened. I don’t remember the details of them like the two from years ago.
I totally agree with your comment. Love, hugs and blessings.
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oh I’m sure God does that but like you said, we just need to be aware and watch for those opportunities. I don’t always help depending on the situation, but the times we do, may be just the thing that person needed, like you said. What a difficult to know is when to put yourself out there or not. It almost seems like the times I have helped or stopped to listen, that I was nudged to do so by an inner voice. Is that my own conscious, or God, or an angel?
Wow, I didn’t mean to go on and on, but I’ve pondered the same thing, obviously. 😉
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Oh, I enjoyed your comment. I didn’t think you went on and on at all. :) I appreciated you reading and sharing your feelings on the subject. Thank you so much.
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