The Human Connection

It was a humid Thursday (July 7, 2016) at around 11:15am at work. “Dary” (in her mid thirties) came to my register. I immediately noticed what appeared to be a soft cast starting slightly above her elbow and ending somewhere on her right hand.

My immediate comment went something like this, “That looks painful. What did you do? Are you all right?” (We talked for just a few seconds as I scanned her purchases. There were a few customers in back of her waiting to be checked out.)

Dary replied, “The chemotherapy that was used to treat my breast cancer caused Lymphedema. This pink compression stocking helps with circulation, prevents swelling, and minimizes fluid retention since the lymphnodes were removed.”

I immediately relayed my Lymphoma experience in 2009. Both Dary and I realized how blessed we were to be alive. Dary asked my quickly “Are you a believer?” I said I was.

She handed me something in a small plastic bag, and told me that she made those while she was undergoing chemotherapy. I handed her one of my blog cards. If anyone could use encouragement, Dary was candidate.

Dary smiled as I said, “God bless you,” before she exited the store.

Later when there were no customers, I reached into my pocket to pull out, and view what Dary had given me. What I saw almost brought me to tears. Inside the bag was a religious bracelet made of a thin strip of something brown and leathery.

There were seven colored beads (and two knots) on it that had some significance to the Christian walk. (See the picture below.) Also with the bracelet was a small strip of paper describing what each bead symbolized. Below is my summary:

1.  The beginning knot on the power band represents when you were born. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, NKJV)

2.  The black bead of the power band represents spiritual darkness because of sin. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23, NLT)

3.  The red bead of the power band represents the blood of Jesus shed to pay the penalty for sins. “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8, NLT)

4.  The white bead of the power band represents forgiveness and cleansing to those who trust in Christ.”But this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Messiah would suffer.”  (Acts 3:18, NIV)

5.  The blue bead of the power band represents public profession declared by baptism. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41, NIV)

6.  The green bead of the power band represents spiritual growth which occurs as we pray, worship, and read the Bible. “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to Him, both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18, NLT)

7.   The yellow bead of the power band represents the peace (and glory) of being with Jesus in Heaven. “Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth…” (Revelations 21:1, NIV)

8.  The ending knot on the power band represents the conclusion of life when every person will stand before God. “And just as each person is destined to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27, NLT)

9.  The clear bead of the power band represents Christ’s clear call to repent and put one’s faith in Him alone. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NLT)

I’ve never seen Dary in this Staples location before. Who knows if she’ll ever stop by here again? Maybe Dary was my reminder of being touched by something deeply spiritual.” (Hebrews 13:2) There are always those moments throughout one’s day when a brief human connection can make all the difference (in the world).

For now at least, my loving Heavenly Father has once again emotionally confirmed that I’m exactly where He wants me to be. Even in all these trying work times when I frequently question the validity of His decision process (of being here in this work environment.

My power band