This time last year, I was Christmas shopping in a mall that was packed with people. Although I was a bit frazzled, I tried to stay focused and moved forward through so many people who were either standing, talking, looking and walking in so many different directions.   

When I made it to the last store, I looked at the line and wondered if it would be worth it. Well, I had made it this far, so why not?

I was in the middle of paying for my purchase when the young girl who was helping me looked up (and beyond me) with this look of SHOCK. Tears were suddenly flooding down her cheeks. I couldn’t help but look behind me to see WHAT was stirring her emotions so.

When I turned around, there stood a young man dressed in Army fatigues.

The ONLY thing I know is that it was her brother and that he obviously just returned from serving somewhere.  She dropped everything and ran around all the people so that they could embrace. I’m telling you what….everyone was crying!

 In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, feelings of love and happiness filled that store. NO ONE cared that their cashier had stepped away.  What a blessing.

Although that moment was amazing, it made  me think of something even greater.  JUST THINK what an overwhelming feeling of love we will experience on that day when Jesus comes back. Just like the timing of this soldier’s return and appearance in that store, His return will be a total surprise.

Cannot begin to explain the joy that I feel in my heart today. Cannot  wait for that day…

“What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.” ~ 1 Peter 1:4