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This morning on my way to do some grocery shopping, I found my mind wandering, so I refocused and asked the Lord to use me while I was out. I finished shopping, put my groceries in the trunk and remembered I’d forgotten something, so I went back into the store. They didn’t have what I was looking for, so I walked back out. An older woman, whose truck was parked beside my car, looked a little confused and distressed, so I asked if I could take her cart for her. She said, “There’s a baby in that car,” pointing to the one on the passenger side of her truck.
“What? Is it alone? Is there anyone else in the car?” I asked.
“No, and the windows aren’t cracked open either. Poor little guy. He must be getting hot in there,” she replied.
We tried the doors, but they were locked. Then she decided to go to the customer service desk to have the car owner paged. While I waited for either the woman or the car owner to return, I prayed about what to do. Should I call the police? I decided to wait and see what kind of person the car owner was, and I’m so glad I did. The first woman returned, and as we stood by the car, we heard the page over the speaker system. Just then, a woman exited the store, and when she saw us, her countenance registered fear and dread as she hurried over. She had not heard the page, but remembered her grandson was in the car when she saw us standing there.
Apparently, she had dropped off her daughter at work, which is something she rarely does, and because her grandson was so quiet in the backseat, she forgot she had him when she went into the store. She felt horrible as she realized what could have happened. She scooped him up car seat and all, took him out, held him tightly, and cried. I hugged her as she held her grandson, and both the other woman and I told her it was okay. Because she was so terribly shaken, I asked if we could help her put the groceries in the car to which she gladly accepted. We reassured her that these things happen sometimes, and she was obviously a good Grammie. I said, “God was watching out for you both.” She looked up to heaven and said, “Thank You, God, thank You.”
Rene Yoshi
June 10th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Wow! Thank you, God,indeed!
June 10th, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Amen!
June 10th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Thank God y’all were there! God works in great and mighty ways 🙂
June 10th, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Yes, He does, Valarie! Yes, He does! \(^_^)/
June 10th, 2013 at 8:35 pm
Every child born is a gift of God; every child cherished is a gift of love every child watched over a gift of responsibility and every child gaurded and delivered from danger a gift of courage. The courage not to judge; a gift from God’s Holy Spirit.
June 10th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Aww, so eloquently put. Thank you, Randell. 🙂
June 10th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
I hope you won’t think it out of place to say this now: I’ve heard it as a joke that women over 50 should not have babies because they will put them down and forget where they put them!” I am glad that you did not hit the panic button and call the police. That Grammie will admonish herself for a good long time. Sure am thankful that the baby was fine and noticed when it was. Fortunately it came to her in time anyhow, “Oh, Oh, the baby!” and went dashing out to get him.
June 10th, 2013 at 9:14 pm
The most humorous things are the things of real life, especially when they don’t end in tragedy, so no, I do not think it out of place. I’m sure that Grammie will admonish herself for a good long time, too. I pray she doesn’t beat herself up over it. Thank you!
June 10th, 2013 at 10:34 pm
Makes me cry! Thank God for placing you all in the right place at the right time.
June 10th, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Thank you, Sarah. 🙂
June 10th, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Oh my gosh, Rene, this story gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. It could have turned out to be a tragedy if you had not been there. I feel for the grandma. I hope she doesn’t torture herself with guilt over “what could have been.” God bless her. God bless the woman with you. God bless you. Thanks for sharing. This post serves as a reminder to all of us about the importance of being present and aware as we go through our day.
June 11th, 2013 at 10:16 am
Yes, I hope she doesn’t torture herself with guilt either. That the baby is well-loved was evident. Thank you, Sandra!
June 10th, 2013 at 11:38 pm
A simple prayer like, “God, use me” can yield amazing answers because we have an amazing God.
June 11th, 2013 at 10:17 am
Amen! We do have an amazing God! \(^_^)/
June 11th, 2013 at 2:20 am
Oh my goodness, Rene! Look at the small details of this event! You had forgotten something, and went back into the store for it. Those few minutes made the difference for God’s timing to place you right there to immediately pray for what to do! Had it not been for those few minutes, you would have driven away. How beautifully God works in our lives and in the lives of others. Your prayer to ask God to use you was so answered. Thank you for reminding me of how valuable it is to ask God to use me too, each time I leave my home!
Though the first woman went into the store to have a page done, your presence and prayer saved this stunned Grandma from having the police called on her.
Thank you, God, for protecting this baby and his grandma!
June 11th, 2013 at 10:18 am
Thank you, Vicki! He doesn’t always use me when I ask, but I am so blessed when He does. ((hugs))
June 11th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Not only are you blessed when God uses you, Rene, but look at how many other people are blessed (and reminded!) by the sharing of your story! Love and hugs to you! 🙂
June 11th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
That’s why I share, Vicki, to bless others and point them to God and His Word. Love and hugs to you, too!! 🙂
June 11th, 2013 at 7:39 am
Oh, Rene. How frightening that must have been. How awesome the wisdom God gave you in that moment. Sounds like He answered your prayers to be used. Thanks for sharing.
June 11th, 2013 at 10:21 am
It was frightening, especially for the Grammie. Although the baby did cry a bit, he seemed to be a contented baby and not frightened at all. Thank you, Sue!
June 11th, 2013 at 9:32 am
Oh, to see the hand of God at work is such an awesome thing 🙂 I know He is always there but sometimes He just shines out brighter. Love the happy ending. God is good. He is the giver of new beginnings and happy endings. Amen? Blessings!
June 11th, 2013 at 10:22 am
Amen, Ann! Blessings to you, too! 🙂
June 11th, 2013 at 11:24 am
This is a very wonderful story, and proves that God will give us opportunities to serve Him, if we will only ask. Thank you, Rene, for asking Him to use you. It also proves that we humans are fallible, and able to make mistakes, and sometimes big ones. I am thankful that you and that other lady were there to help the one who made the mistake.
I will ask God to use me today. Thank you for your example.
luv, g.
June 11th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Aww, thank you, g. Yes, we are all fallible. God doesn’t always use me when I ask Him to, at least not always in a way that is obvious, but it’s not about me anyway, right? It’s about Him and His amazing grace and love. 🙂
June 11th, 2013 at 12:41 pm
What a beautiful story! Love, grace and mercy abounding! Thank you for sharing this!
June 11th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Amen! Thank you, Toni! 🙂
June 14th, 2013 at 11:58 pm
Oh Rene, this one made me cry. There are so many stories like this that don’t end well–and I’m so glad you were there to offer grace and mercy to the poor grammie. Bless her dear heart, I dare say she’s probably going to feel this for a good while–those of us who make innocent mistakes tend to beat ourselves up badly; so again, I’m thankful you were there to be Jesus for her. God bless you–love, sis Caddo
June 15th, 2013 at 9:41 pm
Yes, some stories don’t end well, but I’m sooo glad, too, that this one did. Thank you, Caddo! Blessings and ((hugs))