Truck Stop Restroom

by Kay Heitsch

Several years ago, I took a trip with my husband in a big 18 wheeler. This was a trip I will never forget!

One extraordinary memory took place in a truck stop restroom of all places. We were parked, and I was relaxing, knitting some cell phone bags on a break.

I looked up from my knitting and noticed a woman carrying some shirts on hangers going into the truck stop. I knew she must be traveling with her husband.

I told Bill I was going in and giving her one of these cell phone bags I had made with a Bible verse inside.

As I walked into the restroom, I handed her one of my knitted bags, and we began talking. She asked me, "Do you know why I travel with my husband?" Of course, I didn't, so I answered, "No, why?" With tears in her eyes, she replied, "Because I can't stand to be alone in our home since my son died." I gave her a big, understanding hug and told her that my son had died too.

With a look of astonishment after hearing my son had also died, she asked, "Can I tell you about my son? I have never been able to talk to anyone about him because I knew they would never understand. But I know you will." I assured her I was there to listen to whatever she wanted to share.

As we left the restroom, her husband had come in and was waiting outside the door. With tears in her eyes, she hugged him and said, "God sent this woman here for me today. I was finally able to tell someone about our son who would understand."

I was blessed to be able to listen to this woman's story. You just never know the difference you can make in someone's life, even in a truck stop restroom.

Old Country Church

by Kay Heitsch

Many years ago, I received a phone call asking me to come and share my testimony. This was before GPS, and I had no idea where this church was located, but I didn't want to turn down the invitation. I had written down some directions but found myself lost a few times. However, whenever I stopped, someone was always there to show me the way.

I was starting to feel uneasy as I turned down one dirt road after another. I was out in the middle of nowhere. Finally, I could see a little white-framed church sitting on a hill. I felt relieved as I pulled into the gravel parking lot. I whispered a little prayer of thanks and walked to a door that I noticed was open.

The ladies were preparing a potluck in the basement before the service. I could smell the delicious homemade food as I walked in. I noticed the men were taking off their farm boots and leaving them at the door as they came in to eat. I had to smile as this was something I had not seen before.

Everyone was friendly. Two little girls in cotton dresses came up to me and asked, "Are you the speaker?" I smiled and told them I was. It was cute to see how excited they were.

This was an experience I will never forget. The love I felt from these people was amazing.

I've worshiped in all sizes of church buildings with different kinds of music. One thing I know it's not the size of the building or the music. It's the love of the people who worship there that brings a smile to God's face.

"By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." John 13:35

Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover

by Kay Heitsch

How often do we judge people by the way they look?

This week I was talking to some guys at Planet Fitness. They told me about their boss who went to buy a new car. Little did the salespeople know, but this man was worth a lot of money.

The day he decided to buy his new car, he walked in looking like a bum off the street. The first dealership he stopped in totally ignored him and treated him like he wasn't worth their time. He left with a smile on his face.

Later that day, he walked into another dealership, looking the same way. The sale's people greeted him with kindness and respect.

It wasn't long before this man wrote out a check for almost $200,000.00 on a brand new car!

There's a Bible text that tells us how to treat strangers."Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" Hebrews 13:2

Don't judge a book by its cover! This man was not an angel, but you never know who just might be.