Article April 20, 2009 Issue

3 HEALING WORDS CHANGED EVERYTHING

BY SANDY SCOTT

It was a transaction like innumerable others happening every day all over the world—except for his last three words. I, the lone convenience store customer at that early hour, had nodded at the tall, solemn, unsmiling man behind the cash register and ventured down the aisle. I hadn't slept all that well the night before. I was miles from home, still had a long drive ahead of me, and was feeling a bit tired and out of sorts.

Stopping at the register to pay for my purchase, I took a closer look at the man. I wondered if perhaps he was originally from India. Had he immigrated to the United States and opened this store along busy Interstate 24? Was that his wife stocking the shelves? But all I said was, "How much do I owe you?" I took my change and turned to leave. That's when the man said, "God bless you." I felt that he meant it, too. Smiling, I turned back, and nodding, I said, "And you, too," and then headed to my car.

I didn't know if his remark was casual, or if he had a sincerely deeper spiritual motive for his words. I didn't know anything about his religious beliefs or church affiliation. But would that matter anyway? For some reason, I just felt sure he meant it. And I really appreciated it because right then and there, something remarkably good happened. Not only did I immediately feel a little better, but those three healing words kick-started my daily prayers right into high gear. My whole focus became God-centered instead of self-centered.