Yesterday, I had a huge lesson in walking the walk of Christ through chronic illness as well as how much God cares for us. It was a good reminder.

Colossians 1:10, “10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

No matter what happens, we are to walk worthy of the Lord. Yesterday, for the first time in a long time, I had a very poor interaction with someone related to my chronic illness. I was calling a restaurant to work out what their policies were regarding those with food allergies bringing food in or whatever as there is a family gathering there on Sunday. I am so thankful I called ahead.This particular restaurant has the most restrictive policy that I have ever heard. They do not allow you to enter the restaurant if you are not eating. When I requested to speak with a manager to explain the food allergies again, I was misrepresented; the manager thus refused to speak with me. Ouch. That honestly hurt. I had to ask God to help me react properly. I honestly was not used to this type of response as most restaurants have been very understanding when I call.

God reminded me that this is where our living for Him comes in. How will I respond and walk through that situation? The restaurant owner has every right to make whatever policies they want for their restaurant. What is most important is showing Christ to those around me and glorifying Him in my reactions. I began to pray that God would help me honor and glorify Him through it.

Immediately following the poor interaction, I had to go to a doctor’s appointment. I was a bit discouraged as I drove to the office as the poor interaction with the restaurant was affecting me. (I know, I know, it shouldn’t have, but it was.) That is when our God simply showed His love. It became a parade of encouragement and a mission field as I waited in the hallway. (Crowded waiting rooms and compromised immune systems don’t work.)

• A lady who had smiled at me in the parking lot offered to pray with me when I told her what an encouragement her smile was. She is a dear sister in Christ.
• Many, and I mean many, people offered to get the door for me thinking I was waiting for help. Each one was kind and pleasant.
• I met a dear father taking care of his wife and daughter when he was only one month post-stroke himself. He shared both the hard and the good in their journey.
• A dear elderly woman came in and chatted as she put up her umbrella. She was cheerful and full of spunk. As she walked into the office, I chuckled. She was wearing two different black shoes, one with a heel, one flat. It made me smile.
• My medical assistant was full of joy and kindness. It turns out she has a disabled daughter. We connected. She thinks my smart crutches will help her friend’s daughter and planned to tell her about them. There was instant connection. She said that I brought her day joy. I know she brought joy to mine.
• I have only seen this doctor twice as my favorite one in this specialty moved on. I had been concerned about having a new doctor after such a good one. Yet, he is amazing. He is kind, listens, and laughs. He is knowledgeable and thinks outside the box, taking all into consideration. I am so thankful!

I came to the appointment a bit discouraged. I left encouraged. When I got home, my cleaners were there. It was a new crew yesterday. I almost cried as I was then praying with one of them over hard things in their life. God gave me opportunity to witness to them; one of them may come to church. God had flipped my day upside down!

These experiences reminded me that our higher calling is to always walk in a way that loves people and tells them about Jesus, whether they are kind or unkind.

Update on the restaurant situation: I realized that if I paid for a meal at this buffet-style restaurant, I could enjoy the fellowship with my family. So, I paid for my meal and had what I thought would be the most expensive glass of water of my life. We all had a good chuckle over it.

BUT, the server realized I wasn’t eating or even going to the food and asked why. I explained that I have extensive food allergies and was content to drink my water. They reimbursed my meal. I saw the manager on the way out; I believe she realized I was the one that called earlier in the week. I can only imagine what they normally deal with and understand their response. I would honestly go again even if I end up paying for an expensive glass of water.