As we’ve studied the book of John these past few weeks, we saw the disciples as they struggled to understand where Jesus was going and why. We also saw Christ’s love, patience, and encouragement toward them, even in His final hour. He knew what was coming, and still He took time to be an encouragement to them. How many of us would show compassion and encouragement to others in our own hour of suffering?

Just before Easter, Ben and I were in an eye doctor's waiting room, when suddenly we heard a joyful sound coming down the hall. Someone was humming and singing. Around the corner came a woman who looked to be in her seventies. Her face was beaming with joy. She greeted everyone in her path with a warm hello, and plopped down beside me. I said, “You sure look happy.” She replied, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” In the course of our conversation I asked her if she was a Christian. She replied, “Yes I am.” She began sharing verses about not being anxious or fearful for anything.  She quoted 2 Timothy 1:7, “God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind.” A few months ago a dear friend had given me that same verse just before my surgery. Was this a coincidence? I don’t think so. I had been running on empty lately and a bit discouraged. God often uses all means of delivering His Word in many unusual forms to make His point, or reinforce a truth I desperately need.

She said she couldn’t see well any more and had to come in periodically for eye injections for macular degeneration. This disease was in her family history. She also said that even if she lost her sight, she would see again in heaven. What a great perspective! 

Our new little friend was a widow as well and gave us a brief history on her life. As we were freely talking about the Lord, I watched as the demeanor of people around us changed, including the nurses. They were listening and smiling. In a waiting room, people pretty much keep to themselves with their heads down in a magazine or on their phones. She wasn’t afraid to let anyone around know about her faith and true source of joy. I watched patient after patient leave that waiting area with a smile on their face. When she came out from her appointment she came up to us and prayed for Ben’s shoulder. She turned to him and said, “You have a hard job of being a pastor.” She then turned to me and said  “You have the harder job of being the pastor's wife.” She prayed over us. This brought tears to my eyes. I was touched by her compassion. I had been feeling the weight of ministry lately. How could she have known that? 

This spirited little woman left us better off than she found us. Isn’t that what we should be doing in our lost and broken world? How do we leave people? Do we leave them encouraged, comforted, loved, and refreshed? We comfort people with the comfort Christ gives us in our suffering. Our hearts should be tender and compassionate and always on the lookout for opportunities to minister to people, even if they are perfect strangers.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

This little lady knew something of the abundance of Christ and wasn’t afraid to live it. She was refreshing and encouraging. God in His infinite and wondrous ways used an elderly stranger to lift my spirits and to remind me that the joy of the Lord truly is my strength, even in the midst of frailties, suffering, and pain. She brought joy into that waiting room. I would bet that she spends a large part of her time in the Word and in prayer. God’s Word in us, turned inside out, benefits others and reflects Christ. What joy to receive an unexpected blessing from an unexpected source!