The transmission of her car has given out. Every day, she hitches a ride to work because she is broke.
She works hard. Too hard. And when she’s not cooking in the kitchen of the medical rehab, delivering trays to patients, she’s a full-time single mother.
Sometimes, her kids visit her at work. They get thirty minutes for supper. Her breaks are never long enough.
The strain of day-to-day living is wearing her thin. She is overworked, underpaid, vehicle-less.
One day, she meets a patient. An old man.
In the three months he’s been in rehab, nobody has seen him move or speak. Most days, he faces the window with his jaw slung open. Empty eyes.
She’s delivering food to his room. Her emotions get the best of her. She collapses on a chair and has a meltdown.
She bawls because life is unfair. Because a busted car sits in her driveway and she can’t afford to have a mechanic look at it.
The old man stirs in his wheelchair.
His facial muscles move. And in a few moments, he looks like a man who’s never suffered a traumatic brain injury.
He stares straight at her. His eyes sparkle.
And in a voice as clear as a bell he says, “God sees you.”
Then.
His face goes slack. His eyes become hollow. His mouth falls open, he begins to drool again.
All day, she thinks about him and his words. In fact, she thinks about it so much she can’t sleep.
The next day, she’s delivering food again. She speaks to him.
He doesn’t answer. He is completely unalert. So, she tells a few knock-knock jokes.
His face cracks a slight grin.
It moves her so much that she hugs him until she is crying into his chest. She tells more jokes.
She eventually gets a strained laugh out of him.
Then, he surprises her. He hugs her with rigid arms. It’s all he’s able to do, but it is enough.
She starts spending time with him. She feeds him. She takes lunch breaks in his room. She introduces him to her kids.
She hugs him often. She brings him flowers. She combs his hair and talks to him like they’re old friends.
After a few months, he’s more responsive than ever. The staff cannot explain it. Neither can the man’s family. He smiles at doctors, nurses, orderlies, and even manages to speak a few words to his son.
It’s nothing short of a miracle.
Summer arrives. She is delivering food one day. She pushes her cart into his room and sees his bed empty.
“Haven’t you heard?” says her coworker. “Your friend died last night.”
It is a serious blow. She hitches a ride to his funeral and brings along her children.
A few days later, she clocks out after work. There’s is someone waiting in the parking lot. A young man, holding a gift basket.
The man thanks her for helping his father during his final days. For feeding him. For the smiles. For the hugs. The man embraces her. He leaves her with an envelope.
There is a pair of car keys inside it.
They match the new Ford Contour in the parking lot.
God sees you.
46 comments
Karen Greatrix - November 14, 2018 6:32 am
Thank you for the hope you bring into the world.
Karen - November 14, 2018 7:20 am
This story got me. I am a nurse, and God has revealed himself to me through my patients. God sees you, indeed. True words. Thank you, Sean.
Beverly - November 14, 2018 8:11 am
Tears! Yes, God is always present!
Janice Takashima - November 14, 2018 8:11 am
Thank you, Sean. Today I am grateful for you.
Cynthia Harmon - November 14, 2018 9:42 am
How timely. I’ve been awake for awhile thinking about some medical bills and decided to just get up. Thx for the encouragement.
Cheryl Clem - November 14, 2018 10:06 am
Yes indeed…God sees us. Thank you Sean !
Nancy Rogers - November 14, 2018 10:16 am
God bless, yes he does.
Jean - November 14, 2018 11:04 am
These are the stories that make me cry..for joy! God bless you Sean….he sees you as well.
Ellen - November 14, 2018 11:37 am
You made me cry this morning. Things at home have been rough lately, but through your words I see good in life. Thank you for rescuing me today, sir. You lift me up every day, but today I guess I needed an extra big dose of Sean of the South’s healing magic. And you truly, and reliably, delivered .Thank you!
flacbe - November 14, 2018 11:38 am
That’s how you do life.
Annak - November 14, 2018 11:50 am
Thank you for the reminder … just at the right time, as always.
Xan - November 14, 2018 12:13 pm
Every morning, I read my devotional first and then your story. Sometimes they are hard to tell apart… This morning was one of those times. Thank you. <3
Steven P Bailey - November 14, 2018 12:25 pm
Beautiful…
Jane - November 14, 2018 12:29 pm
Like Xan, I read more devotional first. Today it was the story of Hannah and the priest Eli. The parallel is striking. “God sees you” is not so different than the words of assurance that Eli spoke to Hannah.
Bob Chiles - November 14, 2018 12:54 pm
God has excellent eyesight!
Cathi - November 14, 2018 1:17 pm
HOME RUN. I needed that today. Thank you Sean.
Connie Havard Ryland - November 14, 2018 1:30 pm
My mom is in a nursing home and I pray every day that she has one person there who is kind to her. Bless you for this today. I needed it. Love and hugs.
Irene J Steele - November 14, 2018 1:33 pm
You’ve made me cry many mornings. Other mornings I laugh. Some mornings I smile. I’ve offered wondered if my husband and I could travel those back roads and small towns that you mention without fearing for our safety as African Americans. I would like to take off and discover the treasures in small hidden towns. If we never do that, thank you for bringing those visits home to me. May God continue to bless and keep you and your wife. May His face continue to shine upon you.
Irene
Stuart - November 15, 2018 4:10 am
Why would you fear for your safety? We’re not savages. A lot of black folk live in these small towns and on these back roads too. It’s a lot safer here than in the cities.
God bless.
Don - November 14, 2018 1:34 pm
God sees you too!
Dora Huelsbeck - November 14, 2018 1:36 pm
Whoa…isn’t it amazing the small acts of kindness that can make a difference in so many lives!
Liz Watkins - November 14, 2018 1:36 pm
Oh WOW!! I love this❤️??❤️
susanogden624 - November 14, 2018 1:52 pm
Thank you for the reminder❤️
Janet Rascoe - November 14, 2018 2:04 pm
GOOSEBUMPS!!!…GOD-BUMPS
Linda Chapman - November 14, 2018 2:13 pm
Beautiful! “Thou God seest me.”
Melanie Mills - November 14, 2018 2:25 pm
Thank you for the way we see how God sees us through your writing. In a season of Thanksgiving, I count your blog among my blessings. Thank you!
Karen Dellinger - November 14, 2018 2:35 pm
WOW. Thanks for the reminder !!
margefromnaturesgift - November 14, 2018 2:54 pm
Sean, not RIGHT to start my mornin g with tears. thank you.
Shelton Armour - November 14, 2018 3:51 pm
God does see you and he has blessed me with far more than I am Worthy. Thanks be to God.
Mounier Brenda - November 14, 2018 5:07 pm
Beautifully written fragments. Just my style. Keep writin’ them, Sean.
Edna B, - November 14, 2018 5:12 pm
Simply beautiful, tears and all. God Bless you Sean. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
BJean - November 14, 2018 10:38 pm
Yes! These are the stories that need to be told! People need to know that this kind of world exists, not just the world they see on tv. ?
Joann Hopple - November 14, 2018 11:52 pm
Hope, encouragement, and love, sweet
Debbie Phillips Hughett - November 15, 2018 1:41 am
I cried. Thank you. Perfectly written.
Lisa Thigpen - November 15, 2018 2:23 am
Wow! Just wow! Never stop telling these stories! Yes, you are a good writer!
Jack Darnell - November 15, 2018 3:42 am
Now you got me going dude. I like this. Life is tough and Life is good!
Tonya - November 15, 2018 4:43 pm
Please tell me this is about a real woman! A real soul!
Beautiful!
Fraulein - November 15, 2018 10:32 pm
Once again your stories continue to bring hope for this world. Thank you
Cheryl Eggart - November 16, 2018 2:07 pm
It matters how you treat people. God sees us all the time.
He wants us to be His hands and His feet. I loved this piece. You bring words to life. They are meaningful. Thank you.
Carol H - November 17, 2018 2:55 pm
This week I heard this story from a woman who, on a cruise to Italy, woke to find her arm going numb. By the time they reached land, she was in a wheelchair. Soon after, the only thing she could move was her left eye. She could talk and breathe. Eating was very difficult. They were in a hospital where no one spoke English. She said she felt like a human burrito, blanketed in her body, totally helpless. What helped her through this terrible time, was she knew God saw her. She kept repeating, “I know you see me God.”
Today she has mostly recovered though she walks with a cane. It is an amazing story. Thank you for another confirming story of how God works through people.
Mary Lee - November 18, 2018 9:22 pm
Doggone it…why do you always make me cry??? I love and look forward to your stories!!! Love them!
Kurt Hertrich - November 20, 2018 1:33 am
God saw her too following his command, love your neighbor like i love you.
Joyce Bacon - November 20, 2018 11:40 am
God sees you Sean.
Diann - November 20, 2018 6:05 pm
This gives me chills
Angela - January 3, 2019 1:59 pm
This brought me to tears. Thank you, Sean for reminding us daily there is hope.
Carolyn Matjasko - January 16, 2019 8:18 pm
Beautiful story! And, so true in life!