Realization. We all pronounce words slightly differently. Over the weekend, a beautiful “stranger angel” visited the shop. She spoke with the same energy, enunciation and enthusiasm as Miss Elizabeth. While I recognized the pattern quickly, I was praying silently in my head as she spoke. I was finally compelled to ask her when she said, “re-all-I-zay-shun”, if she happened to be from Trinidad. My husband was sitting on the couch and did not appear surprised when she confirmed she was native to Trinidad. It was a beautiful Godversation.

In part, we talked about when she lost her sister a few years ago. She shared how people always tell those with cancer to fight and hold on. She went on to share her view that it is selfish at the core, when we are holding folks up from meeting Jesus. I agreed, emphatically. It was truly a shift in my heart when she talked about it. I shared a pinch about how I knew she was from Trinidad and that perhaps God was using her to remind me about Elizabeth for some reason. In truth, I thought perhaps Elizabeth had passed and that was why comfort was walking in the shop that particular day.

When she left, I messaged my friend in Florida. To my surprise, Elizabeth was quickly defensive about me meeting another woman from Trinidad. Her response was telling me she is a very private person and to never share her details of any kind with people from Trinidad. While I didn’t share her full details, I felt small receiving that message.

Now that it has been a few days of prayer and study since meeting her, I understand Elizabeth’s response a bit better. There are only 1.5 million people in Trinidad. The number of women over 50 is around six percent of that number. Their oldest daughters are in the same demographic, as well. It makes sense that ANY identifying comments could potentially reveal her personal health information.

Lord, thank you for showing me and humbling me. Thank you for all you teach me so patiently and intently. I love you. Please give peace and comfort to my Trinidad “Sisters”. In Jesus Name, Amen.