Kodak Moment

The atmosphere in my church was thick with God’s Spirit during the service as I noticed the woman standing in front of me. She had tightly permed hair hanging down to her waist and it was meticulously fashioned. Her raven-black tresses were perfectly highlighted with auburn flecks throughout. Properly applied gel kept the fly-away hairs at bay. Momentarily, I noticed that neither she nor her handsome husband standing beside her were joining the outward clapping or dancing to the upbeat music and the pulsating sounds coming from the worship team. I thought to myself, “how odd” because they looked like he may have been a Pastor. There they stood, very regal, garbed in their expensive wardrobe.

Later on during the greeting time, I gently tapped upon her shoulder, and I exclaimed what gorgeous hair she had and she graciously thanked me. I asked her if she were new to the church, and she stated “no” they had known the Pastor for 15 years.

She had a beautiful young-looking face although I knew she had to be at least 30 years old with 3 teenagers sitting to her right. The youngest daughter who appeared to be 12 snuggled affectionately close to her mother’s side. The mother reached over periodically and lovingly patted her leg. Their affection and closeness blessed me so much.

I had met a woman, Lisa, earlier in the morning, and brought her to the church service with me. She had attended our church about 11 years prior. She leaned over and mentioned that the lady sitting in front of me looked familiar. We sat and enjoyed the preaching.

Sometime during the singing, when I wasn’t looking, Lisa had apparently gotten the attention of the woman sitting in front of me, because she had turned around, and leaned back over her chair to embrace Lisa in a tight hug. Doing so, I saw her face up close.

It was a Kodak moment. The woman had her eyes closed,her head tilted back slightly and a glorious smile upon her face from the apparent joy and love in her heart. She absolutely glowed and it almost took my breath away. Lisa had her arm around the woman’s neck crushing her hair.

I immediately realized that in that moment of time, the woman didn’t care about her beautiful hairstyle or her fancy outfit even though Lisa lives with a smoker and had the smell on her clothing. I had to repent of any judgment that I had of the woman who, on the exterior, didn’t seem to be very affectionate. I certainly was proved wrong. Flowing out from our Savior through this woman’s life was a marvelous love of acceptance and love for Lisa and joy at seeing her once again after a long absence.

Only God knows what’s in a person’s heart. Lisa stated later to me that the woman had helped her years ago with her daughter who was dying with anorexia. She had mentored her in her authority in Christ and her daughter had been healed.

I feel honored that I was able to experience such a blessed moment in time. They are like quick snapshots of life that we can savor and appreciate later. Two hearts reunited in love by the grace and timing of God still overwhelms me and continues to teach me a valuable lesson: we can’t judge others and know what’s in their hearts. Only our merciful God can handle that job! My Lord, once again, has reminded me that we can’t look on man’s outward appearance. Only God can transform a life from despair to a radiant example
of His love.

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Ginnylynn is a new local book author who is a native of Texas. Her first inspirational book, A Family's Stronghold was written to provide encouragement to others dealing with Alzheimer's disease. Also included are my true stories and poetry about my family and pets. The book can now be purchased through the publisher as a rush delivery at www.publishamerica.com or other online services such as www.amazon.com, and available for ordering at area bookstores.
© 2008 Ginnylynn Rodriguez - All rights reserved. Visit Ginnylynn's blog here: http://ginnylynn.fetchbook.info
E-mail Ginnylnn at nitewriter54 ( at ) yahoo.com

This column is used with permission.