About the Author

Robin is the author of For All Who Wander, her relatable memoir about wrestling with doubt that reads much like a conversation with a friend. She's as Southern as sugar-shocked tea, married to her college sweetheart, and has three children. An empty nester with a full life, she's determined to...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
Recent Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amen & amen! To the shoppers/coworkers/fellow doctors office sitters etc etc we may be the flicker of kindness they need. In being kind to others we are blessed beyond measure. God’s economy baffles the CPAs but warms our souls. Thank you for sharing!

  2. A very heart warming reminder of how God really does care about the details and he can use any situations to show His love.

  3. “I had experienced God through the lovingkindness of others.” Yes and yes! May we look for ways to be that for others and look for how we are receiving it!

    • Marian,

      YES–we never know the Kingdom impact we’re making in our most simplest of actions…but this story demonstrates that very thing. 🙂

  4. I’ve had such an experience with shopping at JCPenney’s. while looking for a blouse. Another shopper and I began talking and she ended up finding the correct size of the blouse I was interested in buying. She even held it up among the other shoppers to show she had found it with a big smile on her face that I can still see.
    God is everywhere, even with strangers and for an instance we are as one.
    It is a spiritual experience.
    Thank you for your personal story. It is so uplifting.

    • Joan,

      I don’t mean to be simplistic, but I’m convinced all of life is spiritual; there’s opportunity for God to reveal something about himself to us, something for us to learn about his character, the chance to share something of his love for us. I love hearing about YOUR own story–than you for taking time to share!

  5. I love this, Robin! That feeling of love you must have had for those ladies! And a desire to thank them somehow. Yes! We can all work to help one another. We can.

    • Irene,

      How cool would it be for one of them to stumble across this story? Hmmm….I “know” one of them (through mutual friends…); you’ve inspired me to try to share it with her :).

  6. Yes Robin, as I read your story I was reminded of something a lady once told me. She said she was walking down a sidewalk on her way to work and smiled at a woman that passed by. A few days later she had a conversation with the same woman and this woman revealed that she had been contemplating taking her life but that the smile she had been given previously made her realize that people do care and that maybe she needed to rethink her choices. The take away is that we never know who we may meet or what someone else is going through but how we treat others is something we can control. So I believe we should always treat others the way we want to be treated – kindly. I think the more we give the more we receive.

  7. Love this. And so relatable. How many times have we judged someone for something we later did, or saw the reasoning behind? I’m keeping my mouth shut and not blurting out a number, because it would be more than three. 🙂 Nothing like working with other women to get something done. I don’t like to think about this on frazzled days, but we are always showing someone a picture of Jesus. So glad you got the just-right shoes for the wedding.

    • Theresa,

      My little band of shoe shoppers DID get it done! It was like, “all for one, and one for all.” I think more than a few of them would agree that Jesus is our one for all :).

  8. Robin, I am in love with this story!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. This made me smile, giggle, and laugh out loud “The best seamstress in the world couldn’t conjure the magic my dress (or rear end) needed”…Thank you for being some well needed medicine (laughter) for me today. I will remember this message the next time I hear a prayer request that I may feel is not so spiritually mature, as I am also guilty of this type of judgement. This also made me think of a popular quote that I hear people say that I disagree with very strongly which is, “The devil is in the details”. NO, God is in the details. He knows how to bless us with the personal details, that show us he cares for our every need.

    • Christine,

      Well, now….I think you *get* me if you smiled, giggled, laughed…and noticed that sentence :). And what a gift to me that I got to serve you a little medicine today!! 😀

      I love the counter argument to TDIITD…yes! GOD is in the details! I mean, he knows the number of hairs on our head and grains of sand on the beach??? Amazing.

  9. Love this so much!!!! Thanks, wonderful Robin, for such a beautiful story, testimony, and timely reminder. God is in our details. Blessings on your son and his new bride–and on your entire family! Much love! Patricia

    • Becky,

      I had my writing group critique the first draft, and I loved hearing them laugh out loud. That’s what I was going for….gentle, relatable humor. I can “see” YOUR smile!!

  10. This was such a moving story and real testament to how God is always there (through His Word or through others ) to help when we are in need. I could just imagine the women scurrying around the shoe department showing this shoe and that shoe. What a great example of God’s Love!!!

  11. It takes a BIG God to handle details. I used to think that I was “bothering” God when I would beseech His holy throne for help in finding keys, shoes, etc…. So one day I’m praying, “God, can you help me pull my disorganized act together? I’m sorry for bothering you all the time….”

    I could swear I heard Him interrupt, “Bother? (chuckle) You think that bothers me? Go ahead, “bother” me!! I number the hairs on every head, the sand on every shore, and every star in the sky–just for fun. Dear child, don’t feel bad about asking me anything. Come boldly to me. When you ask, you are acknowledging my omniscience and omnipotence.”

    Thank you, Heavenly Father, for caring about details, and being able to turn my panic to praise.

  12. Robin thank you for an excellent way you told that about the shoes for your son wedding that you had to get. The sales assistant in the shop being honest with you. About the first pair you on. Bet you are glad no matter how comfortable they were you didn’t buy them. As they wouldn’t have went with what you were wearing to son wedding. You the Mother of the groom. You had to look your best. The Sale assistant knew that. That is why she when saw a photo of your outfit. Had to be honest with you. You might not when you had the comfortable shoes one. Agreed with her at the time. But she knew her job. She had patients with you. So did everyone else in the shoe shop. They showed kindness to you. Looking back at it now. Aren’t you glad the shop assistant was honest with you. You got a pair of shoes to go with your outfit. That looked way better than the pair you had on that were comfortable. If you got the pair you put on that you said we’re very comfortable. When you go home. Seen them up close with the outfit. You were wearing to your son’s wedding. You cryed why did I not listen to the shop assistant. But bet you are so glad you did. When you put them next to your outfit. You could see they were perfect. They matched perfectly. See the shop assistant did know her job. You would have cried if she had said the ones you had on that you say we’re comfortable. Just buy them as you like them and they are comfortable. She not the sale assistant be doing her Job or being honest with you. At times God has shown me. This we think we know better. Over something and are not always right. But at times we are. As we would have regrets later for not having the patients to listen to the other person. Who could be right in what they are saying. When we have stop and thought about it. You they were right. They were telling me the truth for my own good. Even if I don’t want to hear it at the time. God has said Dawn. Don’t be too hasty to think you are right all the time. The person telling you at the time. No your not. You have to have patience stop and listen to their side of things and maybe when you heard them. Not been so stubborn not wanting to think you are right. Even though you might not say to them. You know what I am right in what I think. But God said to many a time. Just listen before you jump in saying Dawn you know what. I am right they are wrong. So I had to learn listen to that person. It’s been a learning curve for me. As when in the end most times. The person telling me something for my own good. When I have listened to them. I thought it over in my head. For few minutes. Yes I end up saying to myself. They are right. I am wrong. If I had listened to myself. Got stubborn. Said you know you can have your thoughts on the matter. I going with what I think. I made a fool of myself. I would be sorry in the end if I had not listened to them. Just said too me do things your own way. I am only trying to help you. But you seem to think you know best. So they show kindess to me. Tell me why they think I am wrong. God said to me Dawn don’t be so unkind. Listen for once to what they have to say and way up afterwards what you thought. 9 times out 10 they are right. God said to me Dawn aren’t you glad you listened to them now. The were kind and caring to stop you making a fool of yourself God told me. So now I am getting better at listing. Not thinking I am always right. I am glad God showed me that. Like the shop assistant they day with you Robin. She was being kind and telling you the truth. So God said Dawn remember your not always right. Do have patience’s to listen to others. What they say. If not sure you still think what you think is right. Pray to me God about it. I will show you through the Holy Spirit. If you are right or them. That is what I do. Thank you again Robin for what you shared. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx

  13. Robin,

    I have the awesome opportunity to volunteer at Loaves & Fishes-a local food bank that serves take home meals 5 nights a week. People from all walks of life come there to get food boxes & meals. The director & I after hearing their stories had the blessed opportunity to pray for two people. It blesses my heart to help out & I know the people get a glimpse of Jesus in these troublesome times.

    At hospital where I work (clerical) I show kindness to CNAs. RNs, co-workers, patients & their families. Always thanking other staff for helping out. Wanting them to know what they do makes a difference & they are appreciated. You will find me walking the hallway checking on patients & seeing if anyone needs anything. Wanting everyone to see Jesus & know they can talk to or cry with me. Just a few small ways I try to show Jesus to this hurting world.

    Blessings 🙂 P.S. Congratulations on the wedding!!

  14. What a precious story of how God formed community just long enough to help you and remind you of His care. I love this post.

  15. I LOVE this post. Not only does it touch on the topic of shoes (yes, I’m addicted), but you so beautifully and humbly revisit your own thoughts from 30 years previously. You discovered how God gently brought you to a place of understanding through putting you in the exact same circumstance as that of the woman you had judged..

    I too have been there. I too needed to learn how it feels to walk in another’s place. Hopefully, I too continue to learn and grow in grace. and wisdom.

    Again, thank you. Well said