Lessons in love from New York

There are a lot of funny things that happen to me and I’m like “hmm… how did that happen?” or “wow, they recognized me?”

I went into Starbucks this morning (for the second time), the first time was for me, Phyllis, and Angie, the 2nd time for Cheryl. The first time, I was kind of stopped by a city worker, he noticed me walking towards the Starbucks, and stopped me to say hello on my way back to the hotel, and as I walked away, he said “wow, beautiful”. That in itself is crazy to me because that’s the second time that’s happened to me in the month or so… and no other women were really out on the streets this morning at 7:30. I don’t find myself as someone that others would call beautiful. I could go on and on about all the things that are wrong with me (I won’t though because I have promised myself to be kind to me & others), and all I have on is a sweater, jeans, and a scarf. Nothing fancy, that’s for sure.

My second trek to the Starbucks I walked in and the woman behind the register smiled and said “back again?”. There are MILLIONS of people in this city, and I think all I said to her was “Good morning” as I ordered my variety of beverages. And even the woman behind the coffee noticed I was in there twice this morning. We talked for a minute, it wasn’t busy the second time around, her name was Althea, which reminded me of my friend Cheree, which made me smile even bigger this morning.

I often feel forgotten or that I don’t matter, and yet it’s times like this, in this big city, that I am reminded that God loves me and that I am chosen as His. I realize it is not about me, but knowing that He is in me, and I am loved is amazing! There is something about knowing that no matter how many people in the world there are, I am loved and that my presence matters. I have the power to make someone smile. And that is one of the greatest powers to ever possess. Maybe it’s true, given a tiara and a cap, I can save the world, even if it’s just my little corner of it.

Psalm 139:13-18

For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.



And by the way… I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS CITY!!!! I think it’s fabulous! I love the hussle and bussle of it! I love the noise, the busy-ness of it! Its energetic and recharging! I want to start planning another trip soon!

Sending love from NYC!