If there is one thing I have learned over the years it is that God refines and purifies our spirits not only through great challenges but also through everyday encounters and simple moments. I got another reminder of this just the other day at the grocery store.

It was a windy, chilly, and rainy day and all I wanted to do was grab my stuff and go home. As I hurried towards the store entrance I saw a little, old lady bent with age, walking slowly in the rain with a cane in her hand. I didn’t stop to speak with her, though, but hurried on into the store. Later as I was pushing my cart quickly through the aisles I saw her again in a motorized cart slowly steering out of other people’s way. Again I ignored her and hurried on.

Thankfully, God in His infinite Love gave me a third chance. This time as I turned into the aisle with the rice I saw her again, sitting in her cart looking up sadly at the boxes she couldn’t even reach if she was standing. This time I stopped and asked if I could help her. She gave me the most beautiful smile and pointed to a box on the top shelf. I stretched up and grabbed it for her. Then we talked for a few minutes, two souls connecting in a beautiful way, until we said “goodbye” and headed for the checkout counters. As I was leaving the store I felt a sense of peace, a sense of love, and a sense of Grace I hadn’t felt all day long. I smiled and thanked God for giving me enough chances to finally get it right.

In this life we are all stumbling towards the light with varying degrees of love and success at any given moment. Thankfully God keeps giving us countless opportunities to grow and learn, to be kind and loving, and to become who we truly are. May your own journey towards the light be full of faith, full of love, and full of Grace. And when you stumble like I did, may you always reach out, take God’s hand, rise up, and begin again.