Carolyn and Charles

“Therefore, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2

All people are interesting if you are interested in people. I meet a lot of people through my job. It is fascinating to hear stories and see what life lessons have grabbed their attention the most. I have been driving around knocking on doors for over 15 years now. After today, I have a new entry into the category of most impactful.

Sometimes our story is what I know I am there to tell. I think I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I am thankful for that. In most cases I think we have been through as much or more than some. We have a story. It is not a contest, but I think God definitely uses those interactions in both directions.

Today was high miles with low stop counts, but it was a beautiful day. I knocked on a door and found a man named Charles. He was interested enough in what I sell to start a conversation. Carolyn, his significant other, stayed fairly quiet on the other side of the room. I thought I was there to talk to them.

Any time I have as many miles as I did today the day can kind of drag, not really boring but the more people you find, the faster the day goes and vice versa. We talked about that a little. It had just been a slow day.

But as I asked questions, I found that this was neither a first marriage nor a husband and wife. I see that often, but the similarities stopped there. They had joined together to fight life with a partner. It seems to be working for them. But I found out more.

I found out that she had lost her first husband. But that relationship had blessed her with three kids. Then the first child died. Then the second child died. I thinking this was pretty terrible obviously. Then she told me about the third child, who had also died. I had no idea how to even respond, I just sat there and listened. She had a grandchild, and we now have Harlee, so I think we have a common thing to talk about, until she told me that covid took the grandchild. Keeping track? Husband. Three kids. Grandchild. One more, her only sibling, a brother, had also died early. I am not making this up – everyone had died.

I think I can talk to anyone, but I had no idea how to respond to this. The only thing I could think of was “Are you a praying woman?” I have asked that question and found that the answer was no. That can be awkward, but I have prayed with both faith filled and faith empty people. This time it was a shot in the dark. Carolyn’s face totally changed. Her answer “If I wasn’t I wouldn’t be here.” So, I prayed.

She completely changed from her story to mine. She encouraged me. She actually told me that I sounded too young to be a grandfather. “Sounded?” Another thing, sickness had taken her eyesight. That was the first clue I got that she was blind. So, my young sounding voice in an old man’s body was faced with having someone with the most opportunity to hold onto pain I have ever met, encouraging me.

You may be thinking, what was Charles doing during all of this. He supported her. He was clearly proud of her and their relationship is as beautiful as any I have seen. He also told me about a surgery he is having – tomorrow morning. It sounds like I am making this up, but I am not. He was a little concerned about leaving her by herself while he was in the hospital. I’m actually a little concerned about it too.

On the drive home I am thinking that I have to tell this story. I asked God what lesson I was supposed to learn. I wondered what point I was supposed to make. I think I received this message, “Just encourage them. I want them to be encouraged.” Carolyn and Charles, thank you. You did, in fact, encourage a random old guy today. How you have responded to life is supernatural. I’m proud of you.

Are you willing to tell people your story? If you don’t, how will God use it to encourage people?

Are you willing to listen to theirs? I wonder how many times I have ran right past the opportunity.

Challenge: Take the scenic route through your day. We have to work, and we have things to do, but ordinary interactions can indeed change your life for the better.

Rick Claiborn