Jesus in a Shopping Centre

It has often been said that someone who has lived their lives loving God and loving others will develop in their facial features a beauty and attractiveness that is both calming and powerful.

Yesterday, as I was walking through a shopping centre in Brisbane I caught sight of a little old lady ahead of me, carrying a couple of bags.

She looked frail. She was bent over and moved slowly through the shopping centre. My heart was drawn to her as she walked along with the patience of years. I was concerned she would be alright.

I wondered if she would sit on the bench over by the shopping centre exit. She did.

As I passed by I could not resist glancing her direction. Her head was bowed looking into her bag, and so I did not see her face fully.

Maybe it was something about her vulnerability, seated beside a young teenage girl, who looked fierce in her style of dress. I don’t know. But, as I was walking out the door, I felt a nudge to go back and see if the woman was alright.

As I caught her attention and asked if everything was doing OK, and if someone was coming to pick her up, she looked me in the face from her wizened frame with the most gorgeous smile and I was struck by the amazing eyes looking at me with such a softness and peace. I felt I was looking into the eyes of Jesus. It was so, so special.

I felt that peace and gentleness wash over me as she assured me someone was coming and thanked me for asking.

Even the teenager two feet away, lost in her own world on her phone, glanced at the woman and at me and lit up with a smile, caught up by something we were all experiencing in that moment.

It was only later as I had walked away, that I felt I should have stopped to talk to this woman and to hear her story. I am convinced the conversation would have been filled with stories about Jesus.

It is amazing how a look, a smile and love in the eyes can so impact one. This morning, a day later, I am left deeply marked by those eyes looking at me in that brief moment of time. I definitely felt the LORD’s presence in that shopping centre and still feel it now. Wow!