ann kiemel

behind every face,

there is a story.

no, many stories.

we do not know

where on the journey

of life, people are.

i was casually browsing

through nordstrom's.

san francisco. with a

special friend. wanting to

look at the costume jewelry.

just for fun.

there was a pair of earrings

similar to ones that someone

gave me and got ruined. on sale

clear down to $14. my face warmed.

$14?! i could manage $14.

a perky, young girl.

maybe in her 20's.

excuse me. is this price correct?

let me ask my manager.

returning, she said you have

even a better deal. the price has

been dropped to $9. usually, we

never sell anything this reduced in

price, but the manager said you can

have them. $9.

my eyes were large.

heart beating.

i don't know if you are a

spiritual person, but i know God

brought me straight to you. you

were the sales girl that approached

us.

suddenly,

her visual look turned cold.

only her eyes betrayed her.

i was not deterred.

God didn't send me to you to

tell you to change. to shape

you up. chastise you. almost

whispering, i said, oh, no!

Jesus wants me to tell you

that He loves you and REALLY

cares. i don't know what is

happening in your private life,

but Jesus sent me to say it

will be alright. He is working

on it.

tears began to gather

in the corners of her eyes.

her face softened.

an ordinary day.

a sales' clerk at nordstrom's.

a giant God of the entire universe.

His vast love and compassion.

don't preach.

give people hope.

touch them where they

are. plant a seed of love

where it can sprout. let the

world know they REALLY

matter to God. somehow,

bring Jesus to their level.

it is ALL about love.

sometimes,

it is just a warm smile.

telling someone they are

beautiful. a hug. people

are starved for connection,

fragile wonder.

vast open sky.

breeze on our skin.

glorious world.

amazing, glorious God.

a song across the meadows.

Jesus lives,

and that is EVERYTHING.

amen.