As I was on my way to my sister's basketball game today, I saw a woman on the sidewalk walking. This woman wasn't any unfamiliar woman to me, in fact, In the summer time, I see her often. She unashamedly wears her swim suit top, running shorts (or something of the like), has a book in her hand, and walks. She walks and walks and walks and walks. Many times I have wondered, "where is that lady going? How long has she been walking? Gosh, she walks as if she is in pain. Is this a part of her daily routine? Who is this woman?" Even as my mom and I would take short trips in the car, doing our little errands, we would point out, "there's that woman again. Where is she going?"
One day, some months ago, perhaps a year, after seeing this woman walking I concluded that I was going to stop her and talk with her to find out the answers to my questions and who she is. The interesting thing about God planning our days for us is that we don't know what they will exactly hold and today was the day I was going to meet that woman. Today I met Anne.
I do admit, once I saw her, I hesitated parking my car. So I proceeded past her, turned a corner, backtracked, turned again, and asked God for boldness, the words to say, and to dispel all hesitation due to probable awkwardness. I parked my red convertible on the the side of the street, got out of the car, left it running, shut the door, walked in her direction and began my introduction. Using force in my voice, due to the distance between us, I said, "excuse me ma'am! Ma'am! Excuse me."
She stopped, a bit unaware of why I was wanting her attention, as I proceeded, "I see you walking a lot, especially in the summer, and I wanted to say hi."
The woman said, " Walking is healthy. My name is Anne. I live around this area. Are you a college student here at Augustana?"
I told here a bit about the past couple of years of my life and how I attended some bible schools. We asked questions back and forth as we began walking together; I got the impression that Anne doesn't like standing still for too long. I was finding it a bit hard to keep my footing in the slick snow- perhaps it is the lack of traction on my boots, but Anne was pro. Along with a noticeable limp in her walk and slouch in her back, and frailty in her structure, she was holding a gas station tumbler in her right hand- the whole time I wondered what it contained but never asked.
Anne told me that she went to high school here in the city of Sioux Falls, around forty five years ago. She now walks, swims, and teaches english to people who have immigrated here. Anne is 60, which took me by surprise, because she looks like she could be for 85. She lives by herself, but that's as far as I got to know. She picked up her pace and didn't give me a formal good-bye, but just walked on over the hill in the road. As I slowed my pace, I said in a raised voice, "Anne, Jesus Christ loves you." I hope those words forever remain in her thoughts.
I walked back to my car, which was now a block away, and I thought of what it would be like to be Anne. I looked at the trees and thought of how she is able to enjoy them, because they are her company. The buildings are probably wonderful sights, especially the mosaics of the Lutheran church that we were by. I'm sure the books that she holds, or the contents of the mug in her hand provide some sort of joy as well...
I wonder if Anne is lonely. I wonder if she ever wants someone to just walk with her, listen to her thoughts, and to talk back.
This unexpected encounter with Anne will probably forever change my life, maybe not drastically right away, but eventually. Maybe she hasn't heard the name of Jesus Christ in a long time; maybe she's never come in contact with a person in whom He indwells. Did He, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, God, the Father, continue on in the walk with Anne today? I trust He did. Did she know His presence? Did she feel His peace? Did she know His joy?
I know we are like fragrance to those we meet."For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life." 2 Cor. 2:15 & 16a
May Anne be in the company of the former.
There are many more words on my heart and in my head and lessons I was taught today, but I'll leave this segment of my encounter with Anne as is, perhaps adding to it later.
Today I met Anne and I am grateful for it.
