Overflowing

For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 

Matthew 12:34b

Filled is the best way to describe how I felt.  We spent a weekend repenting and praying after attending a marriage conference.  Then, our Sunday message was about thanksgiving and gratitude, a posture which I always try to hold tight, but entitlement creeps in and robs.  Full to the brim with excitement and awe at the God who created all, yet He cared enough about my marriage to send someone to help make it even better.  I stood amazed that the same God who conquered death would take time to free me from apathy and help me to see everything as a glorious gift from Him.  Full. 

We spent time with family after church and then ventured into our local McDonald's to enjoy some ice cream.  We took our daughter to the playground and sat near the window.  Shortly after we settled, we saw two familiar faces.  Weeks ago we saw an elderly couple; their sweetness was not easily forgettable.  He, feeble himself, helped his wife out of the passenger side of the car.  Then hand in hand he escorted her to her table as he went and ordered for her.  After their coffee, he gently walked her back to the passenger side of the car and then they drove off.  I remember seeing them and looking at my husband, thankful that I have someone who would love me like that in our older years.  I remember discussing how it touched my heart to see his compassion and love for his wife.  Yet here they were again, a reminder of the deep love that sustains time and illness- a love that endures.  At our marriage conference we discussed the importance of friendship above all things in a marriage.  As he walked her across the parking lot I whispered to my husband,

"He is a really good friend to her," and smiled.  He agreed.  Full.

After she took her seat she began to knock on the window to get my attention. "Honey, I think she wants you for something," Nick said.  I looked back to see her piercing eyes and hand on the glass.  Nick opened the door and asked if he could help her but she never lost focus on me and completely ignored him.  I went inside and asked if I could help her with anything.  "I've been waiting on you," she said as she patted her seat, inviting me to sit.  Something in that invitation immediately told me that I was standing on Holy Ground.  "I'm listening Lord, to whatever you want to tell me in this situation," I said to myself.  In shock for a moment, I sat down.  This was a complete stranger, and I was a bit confused.  "Where have you been," she asked.  I stammered for an answer that would somehow fit her asking, as I realized this sweet lady suffered from dementia.  I fumbled with some more Q&A until our conversation took a turn. 

Her gaze left my eyes and turned to the floor, "I just was afraid that you didn't like me."  Didn't like her.  These words fell hard. 

"Please don't worry about that." I said softly.  "I like you very much."  "You are a sweet girl, and I love you," she said.  I placed my arm around her and said, "Aww, I love you too," and hugged her.  Her head fell to my shoulder with her soft white hair on my cheek.  By this time her husband had returned with a worried look that said he would explain her behavior.  "I'm sure by now you realized she has dementia?"  "Yes sir," I nodded.  "I see you have a friend," he said to her.  "She's a sweet girl," the elderly lady replied.  "I think you are a sweet girl," I said to her.  "My husband and I saw you two a few weeks ago and even talked about how sweet the two of you were."  "Daddy is the sweet one," she said as she looked at her husband and touched his hand.

"He loves me a lot-more than I deserve." 

By this time I went from full to overflowing.  I said a sweet goodbye and walked out to rejoin my family at the playground WRECKED.  Tears streaming down my face as I left this alter on which I had just experienced God. 

Experienced God...who experiences God at McDonald's? 

I could not speak, but yet I couldn't be quiet.  How many messages from God did I just get? About love, about undeserved love, about someone needing to be liked...endless topics all overflowing.  Lord, this is just so much to take in I thought.  I don't even know where to begin.  Immediately I thought of this verse, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." 

This sweet elderly woman communicated two things with me:
I want to be liked; I want to be loved. 

Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  While dementia served as a way for her to speak from her heart without inhibition, I wonder how many of us without dementia have the same thoughts and feeling hidden in our heart?  How many of us long for affirmation that we are liked and we are loved, but in fear we never communicate that need? 

Overflowing.

"Your love for one another will prove to the world
that you are my disciples." 

John 13:35

Let it overflow to someone who needs to be liked and loved today.