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A Beautiful Stranger

Whatever you did for the least of these...you did for me.
Matthew 25:40

Thoughts swirled in my mind as I turned into the parking lot. I'm going through one of those "things" God allows into the life of a Christian for His glory and our good. Some call it a trial. Others call it suffering. I call it opportunity.

As I hung up the phone, I entered Starbucks behind a beautiful stranger. I was immediately struck by her sense of style and physical attributes. She ordered her drink and then added to the clerk, "and whatever she wants." All of the sudden I realized she peered in my direction. I was "she".

Her greater beauty dwelt within. I knew this was a gift from God before she mouthed the words. "I don't know why I'm supposed to buy your coffee today but God nudged me and I'm listening." To borrow a phrase from author, Lysa TerKeurst, she was radically obedient and I was radically blessed. 

The whispers of God bounced around in my heart. He is with me. He has not abandoned me. The road before me is one of opportunity. 

If it's rocky and I stumble, I will fall into His arms.

If it's smooth and I glide, I carry Him with me.

I entered Starbucks as the least of these. I met a beautiful stranger. As I leave I will carry her beauty in my heart because she dared to be radically obedient. Now who can I radically bless?

44 comments:

  1. kristina tubinisApril 2, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Aww that's Brittany! What a wonderful story! She is such an awesome person! Thanks for sharing Shannon!

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    1. UnknownApril 2, 2012 at 4:49 PM

      I know! We're not strangers anymore (obviously since I took her pic). I even friended her on FB. What an unexpected blessing!

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  2. AnonymousApril 2, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    What a awesomr blessing! God is always on time!

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  3. UnknownApril 2, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    Shannon, you radically bless me every time I visit your blog. :) That's pretty awesome though. I feel inspired. If only I didn't make my own coffee each morning... I'll have to think of something equally wonderful to bless someone with. Or, I could just wait for God to lead me...

    Was SO nice to finally "meet" you today.

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    1. UnknownApril 2, 2012 at 5:18 PM

      Rosann, I'm super thankful for your leadership on our project and loved starting my day by seeing your beautiful face!

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  4. Reformed rebelApril 2, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    That's so cool! God has a purpose for every gift He gives us!!
    Blessings Shannon
    Chelle

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    1. UnknownApril 2, 2012 at 7:49 PM

      Yes He does. So thankful that He sees and interrupts my day to remind me He's with me.

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  5. AnonymousApril 2, 2012 at 7:33 PM

    I know you needed that. Our God amazes me as he uses others to bless when least expected. I know you needed that special blessing today. Oh, for all of us to be so in tune with God's nudges.

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  6. CzjaiApril 2, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    Wow. She is indeed a beautiful person, inside and out. :)

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  7. CrazyNutsMomApril 2, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    I love that this stranger did this for you. I have done that for the person ordering coffee behind me while in the drive through, so it was totally unknown who did it. :)

    Love, Love Love, the name of your blog! I'm following u on linky.

    Regina
    www.thecrazynutsmom.com

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    1. UnknownApril 2, 2012 at 8:56 PM

      Regina, so thankful for your visit! I have done the same thing in the drive through but wow to be so bold as to do it in person just amazed me!

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  8. Kristina GarnerApril 2, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    One crazy soccer Saturday I was in a hurry to grab a cup of coffee and rush back before the game started. The person in front of me in the drive through paid for my coffee and made my hectic Saturday a little less hectic and rushed. :-)

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    1. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 2:12 PM

      Kristina, what a great story. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Crazed in the KitchenApril 2, 2012 at 11:27 PM

    How wonderful! Someone did this for me once, in a drive through, but I have yet to remember to pay it forward. Thanks for a lovely reminder!

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    1. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 2:12 PM

      Oh girl I'm smiling just thinking about the "random" stranger you will bless one day with your kindness!

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  10. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 8:29 AM

    You just blessed me! I needed the nudge to have the courage to step out in love for my neighbor. She's still a stranger to me but someone God is calling me to love. I pray that God continues to open your eyes to his tender presence at home with you.

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    1. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 2:13 PM

      "His tender presence at home with you." Beautiful! Thank you!

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  11. Lindy PopeApril 3, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    What a wonderful story! Sometimes it's the smallest things that make our day the brightest. Praying for your strength during your trial.

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    1. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 2:13 PM

      Lindy, prayer is the most precious of gifts. Thank you!

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  12. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    I saw a sign on a church the other day that said God can turn your tests in to testimonials and your Messes in to messages. And you just shared him doing so.

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    1. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 7:41 PM

      What a great thought! Thanks for sharing. He is the Master of all my messes!

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  13. AmyAlvesApril 3, 2012 at 3:47 PM

    I want to meet this beautiful stranger of yours Shannon! Or, even better yet, be one for someone else! Thank you for sharing such an awesome story... God is just dropping gratitudes straight from Heaven and they're finding homes in my heart lately! -Blessings sister, Amy

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    1. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 7:42 PM

      I want to be this beautiful stranger too! Looking for opportunities!

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  14. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    What a simple and yet amazing and beautiful story. And now you're friends!

    I have found that whenever He weeds out evil in my life, even though I may not realize at the time, He doubles my blessings as He replaces those I lost.

    Mucho luv sista!
    Sharon

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    1. UnknownApril 9, 2012 at 1:45 PM

      "He doubles my blessings as He replaces those I lost." Such wisdom! Love you!

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  15. DeniseApril 4, 2012 at 12:10 PM

    Such a nice story.

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    1. UnknownApril 9, 2012 at 1:46 PM

      Thanks, Denise. So thankful for your visit to the oasis!

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  16. UnknownApril 4, 2012 at 6:09 PM

    This is so beautiful :) You're becoming a poet of God and I love it.

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    1. UnknownApril 9, 2012 at 1:47 PM

      Barbara, what sweet words of encouragement. Thank you for wrapping His love around my heart today!

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  17. The Pepperrific LifeApril 4, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    That's simply amazing! I can hardly believe such people still exist in this day and age. It revives my faith in the human spirit.

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    1. UnknownApril 9, 2012 at 1:48 PM

      I was blown away by her love and kindness. So thankful God allowed us to meet. Now I can use her kindness as fuel to make a difference in the lives of others!

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  18. Judy WhatiliveforApril 9, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    What a sweet, tender person to be able to listen to the whisperings of our Heavenly Father and to be able to do what He asks. It's amazing that we have "opportunities" to sometimes be the giver, and other times to be the receiver.

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    1. UnknownApril 9, 2012 at 5:11 PM

      God knew just what I needed that day. Loved that He used such a precious person to supply it. :)

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  19. Crazy Life of a Writing MomApril 16, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    What an awesome post! This made my day. Thank you for sharing this. I just posted it to my facebook wall :)

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    1. UnknownApril 16, 2012 at 1:43 PM

      E, you are so wonderful! Thanks for doing that!!!

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  20. Becky JaneApril 19, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    It takes a lot of courage to do what she did. What a super-duper example of Christian love.

    You are also an inspiration to me in so many ways. We may not meet somewhere and you spontaneously share with me, but from your blog I am fed!

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    1. UnknownApril 19, 2012 at 11:57 AM

      Courage and insight. She heard the whisper of God because her heart was tuned to His voice. So thankful you hear Him here. Let's tune our heart to Him today!

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  21. a joyful noiseMay 24, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    Thank you for sharing this sweet story at Tell Me A Story. I am always amazed when God blesses us so unexpectedly. I paid for a man's bag of groceried when he was about to leave as his credit card was denied. I told him he was blessed today. Our foster daughter Nancy is always doing this and it is challenging to us to do more.

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    1. UnknownMay 24, 2012 at 10:58 PM

      What a beautiful habit to learn from your daughter. Precious!

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  22. caryjoMay 24, 2012 at 7:40 PM

    This was worth a nice, big grin. A real treat...in more ways than one.

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    1. UnknownMay 24, 2012 at 10:58 PM

      Absolutely, Caryjo. It was like a smile from heaven and smile all earth all wrapped into one!

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