Have you ever found yourself living out the lyrics of a song? It’s not one I have found myself doing till now.
In the South, country music is everywhere—playing in shops, restaurants, and grocery stores. One particular song kept looping in my mind. It told a sad story, not too unpredictable with country music, but little did I know how it would connect with a moment in my life.
I often stop by this little shop in my neighborhood, and sometimes, when I am there I notice this young girl. Something about her tugs at my heartstrings; it looks like she’s about to cry. We’ve shared smiles and quick hellos, yet I can’t help but feel that there’s so much more she longs to express.
I spotted her in the store again, her eyes welling up with tears. It broke my heart to see her like that. But just as quickly as I noticed her, she left. I watched her drive away, and in that moment, I felt compelled to pray for her. “God, please send her the help she needs today. Bring her a friend to show you care. Keep her safe. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As I drove home, I saw her car on the shoulder of the highway. Was that her?
I had to make sure, so I pulled off the road behind her. When I got out of my car, I could see she was crying. I went to her window, she put it down, and I told her, “I was praying for you. I saw you at the store. Do you need some help or someone to talk to?”
She jumped out of her car and wept on my shoulder without hesitation. I could barely make out the words she was saying.
“I couldn’t hold my tears in any longer,” she said, her voice trembling. “And I just couldn’t see to drive.” In that moment, it hit me—this was God’s presence, guiding us. The deserted highway felt like a divine assurance that we were protected, away from passing cars.
I suggested we go to the diner for a cup of coffee, and I could sense she longed to open up. So, we made our way to the diner, and as soon as we settled in, she began to pour her heart out. It was like the floodgates had opened, and I was right there with her, listening and holding space for her story.
She said living in a small town can be challenging, especially when you are constantly reminded of someone who broke your heart. She opened up about how hard it was to see him and that he was moving on with someone else.
My heart just ached for her. She even mentioned how she was in the store when she caught a glimpse of his truck driving by, and it felt like a punch to her gut.
As I listened to the struggles she had gone through in her young life, I felt so grateful that I had taken the time to be there and share scripture with her. She was listening to every word, and I loved how the truth of God’s Word began to resonate within her—it was incredible. The Holy Spirit was leading me the whole way.
When we had finished talking and our last drop of coffee, we said goodbye, and she was transformed. The broken girl who wept on my shoulder was now filled with hope and joy for the future ahead of her. That song popped into my head, so I looked it up and listened when I returned to my car. Tears streamed down my face as the lyrics hit me: It wasn’t just the highway shoulder she needed to cry on—it was mine, but ultimately, it was Jesus’ shoulder that she was leaning on.
I felt so blessed to be part of her journey. It’s amazing how God can use us as His hands and shoulders for hurting people. In that moment, our day became more than just a conversation; it became a beautiful story, like a music video filled with hope and healing.
Here’s the Song
