My throat was dry and parched. I felt tired and in need of a quick boost to get me back up on my feet. As a student, I often find myself working late or long hours in order to meet deadlines, fulfill my obligations as a leader in various extracurricular activities, or anything else that may come up on my plate. It so happens that, on October 17, 2018, I decided to make a quick trip into a gas station to buy a coke- something I never do.
I love soda, and I always have. I love the way it feels, the sweetness, and the energy it can give me. This particular day, I knew I had a lot of work to take care of after class, so I decided to make a stop for a pick-me-up. I pulled into the gas station right by the corner closest to campus (and did a really terrible parking job- I had no plans to stay for very long and there were only a handful of other cars in the parking lot). I made my way to the back of the tiny store, quickly scanning the refrigerators for my prize. I pulled out a 16 oz bottle of Coca Cola and walked up to the front of the store.
Normally, I’m not one for conversation at the cash register, but for whatever reason I started chatting with this girl. Her name was Kat*, and I asked her the standard questions- “How’s your day going?” “How are you?” and so on and so forth. Just 30 seconds or so in to the conversation, she mentioned that her brother had just passed away, and implied that he had taken his own life. She was clearly shaken and grieving, but I was surprised at her calm, collected responses to my questions. She said, “Be praying for me and my family.” I asked her if she would like me to pray for her right then and there. She said yes.
So, at the cash register, with other employees and customers circling about, I closed my eyes and bowed my head with Kat. I prayed that in this tough situation, God’s glory would shine. I prayed that He would bestow upon Kat and her family the peace that passes all understanding. I prayed that through this tragedy, Kat would lean even more fully on the hope that is Jesus Christ.
After a minute or so of praying, I opened my eyes to see tears streaming down Kat’s face. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would be with her and upon her. We closed and she thanked me, and I told her I would continue praying for her. I still have. I thanked God for placing an opportunity to truly make my life count right in front of me. As I walked out of the store that day, I thought to myself, “What if I had never had a craving for that coke?”
*Name has been changed for privacy
