Ace is the Place

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My husband and I came home from vacation last month, and we were treated to the sight of a waterfall. It sounds better than it was, actually. The water was cascading from our kitchen ceiling light fixture.

Welcome home, y’all!
Fortunately, it was an easy fix. The grout in the upstairs shower had cracked. We (and when I say ‘we’, I mean my husband) needed to scrape the old stuff out, and apply some caulk. Problem solved.
Scraping started; I headed off to our local hardware store for caulk. I like to go there when I can, because the people working there are friendly, and are happy to help.
Walking into the store, I was approached by Linda. I know her by name because last time I was at Ace, she helped me with a large order.

Back then, she told me that she had some recent surgery. It went well, but she was left without the sense of smell or taste. We talked a while about the challenges, like motivating herself to eat. And there was a treatment she was trying to get, so she could get her sense of smell back. I hadn’t seen her since then.
Seeing her again, I asked how her recovery was going. As we headed down the caulk aisle, I found out the treatment was helping, she could taste ‘a little bit.’ She turned to me and said “But I know I’m lucky. I recovered; the tumor is gone. It’s not so bad.”
She went on to say that every day she sees customers with all kinds of problems. Elderly people struggling to keep up their property, a parent caring for a sick relative and her own children at the same time, and people ‘going under’ with house payments. “That’s what really gets to me,” she said. “This economy is really hurting people.”
She went on to tell me an incredible story. A man came into the store for a hardware item. He got to talking to Linda (not surprising), and told her he was about to lose his home. His job gone, he was unable to pay his bills. What really got to her were the two little children, each holding one of their Daddy’s hands while he spoke.
“What a sad situation!” I said to Linda as I grabbed the caulk tube tighter. How many other families in my town were affected like that?
But this man’s story didn’t cause Linda to wonder at all. She told me that she led the little family to some chairs,  and then called our local county office. On the phone, she explained the predicament this man was facing. He didn’t know where to turn. Could they be of any help?

“Just send him over,” they replied. “We can help, and we’ll take it from here.”
I just stared at Linda. I was in awe of this woman. The passage from James flashed though my mind. “…and you say to them; ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled; without giving them the things they needed for the body, what good is that?’”
Walking to my car, I was so inspired. God makes his appointments and then eagerly waits to see what we will do with them. Linda did not disappoint.
Reminders of those God-appointments are everywhere, aren’t they?

Lord, please lead me gently where you want me to go. Give me the grace to help when I can, and convince me when I think I can’t.

Who would have expected that a visit to the hardware store would be so inspirational?

Ace really is the place.

Linking with: Tell His Story , Winsome Wednesdays , A Little R and R Wednesdays ,
Wednesday Prayer Girls
Intentional Me

58 thoughts on “ Ace is the Place ”

    • Good Morning Suzan! Thanks for the tight hug! (the best kind!)

      She is a beautiful lady, and I wish you could meet her. So unassuming, but just a little fireball. Love her!

      So glad you came today to lift my spirits! Big hug back to you, my friend :)
      Ceil

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  2. What a beautiful post! And a beautiful woman!! Before leaving a comment, I prayed for Linda that our God would bless her with strength, health & a return of taste. She truly is a blessing to her customers & an inspiration to those of us that will now know her story. May God open my eyes to see more when I am out & about. Thank you so much for sharing this. I was your neighbor this morning at A Little R & R & was blessed to visit!
    Have a great Wed.,
    Joanne

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    • Hi Janet! Thank you for stopping by and joining the blog! I look forward to getting to know you better :)

      You are right about that timing thing, both for Linda, and for me to hear it. Just beautiful!

      Happy Wednesday!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Dianna! So good to see you here!

      isn’t God just amazing?? That man walked into the right place, at the right time. I guess I did too, so I could hear about it!

      Peace,
      Ceil

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    • Oh Angela! You are too funny! When you think of it, there are a lot of us staring at caulk tubes, not using them. I guess we could have headed off the kitchen rainfall if we were more proactive!

      So glad you liked the post!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Sue! Thank you for coming on over today and leaving a comment!

      I would agree that Linda is an angel. I think you would really like her. So personable and unassuming.

      So good to see you here :)
      Ceil

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  9. Breathtaking… this was such a beautiful testimony of how God desires to work through us and with us and how, when we are willing – we really can make a difference! It speaks to me of the importance of slowing down a bit and paying attention and listening with a whole heart, ready to hear both what is spoken and unspoken! Visiting from Tell His Story over at Jennifer Dukes Lee’s! (Praying for Linda this morning as well!)

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    • Hi Karrilee! Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

      Listening with the whole heart is a great concept. Listening with one ear, and being away in your head is not going to help anything. So true!

      Peace in Christ,
      Ceil

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  10. What an inspiring post! Linda sounds like a woman who is full of grace – and a woman who backs up her words with action.

    Hoping this man and his family were helped, and praying that Linda is blessed with healing!

    GOD BLESS!

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    • Hi Sharon! She is full of grace Sharon. She is so unassuming, and such a hard worker with a heart for people. Quite a model.

      Thank you for your prayers! I love a good prayer warrior!

      Happy Wednesday!
      Ceil

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  12. What a beautiful inspiritual post Ceil! God gave you a “beautiful sounding” waterfall so that you would be right where He wanted you, to hear, to be chalanged and to be inspired enough to share it with us, so we too, could be inspired from this lovely Linda.
    I as well thought of the verse from James, and was reminded of the many needs all around me. May we always be in tune with the leading of the Spirit, and then obey the leading.
    Thank you for sharing this post! I enjoyed my visit with a cup of tea and a slice of fresh baked banana bread.

    Blessings!

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    • Hi Debbie! I am so glad you liked this post. That quote from James just has to jump out, doesn’t it? This is a complete illustration of that Scripture.

      I agree with your prayer! I want to follow the Spirit with you :)

      So nice to see you…where’s my bread??? LOL!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Patty! Tell me about it! Not a fun sight after vacation, or anytime really!

      All is well at the Evangelize household. We’re back to taking showers and no more water works. Thank you Lord! (and my husband!)

      Thanks for coming over today!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Cecelia! I know! She really was. God really knows who he can count on, doesn’t he? I hope that he can count on us too…you are sure spreading the word on your blog.

      Loved sharing this. Such a great gift for me to hear!

      Peace in Christ,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Kelly! How nice to meet you!

      God really does bless me with the stories of his love. Linda is such a wonderful person, a small woman in this big world, but she did so much goodness. What a witness to me.

      So happy you came here today! Please keep coming, it would be great to get to know you better!
      Ceil

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  17. What a beautiful and inspiring story! Thank you so much for taking the time to share it, and give Linda a hug for me next time you go into her store. We (I)think that I must do BIG things for them to be effective, when what I really need to do is be obedient in ALL things, small or big.

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    • Hi Susan! Aww…you are so sweet! I bet you and Linda would be good friends.

      Helping out when it’s possible is so important, like you are saying. I think we sell ourselves a little short in that. We can do a lot, if we just try. Look at Linda :)

      Peace,
      Ceil

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  18. Hello dearest Ceil! What a precious, beautiful and inspiring story! Have you ever noticed that many of those that have been through the fire (trials) are the ones who come out of it stronger? They have reason to complain and have a “poor me” attitude, yet many times they rise up to the challenge and bring glory to God. I am truly in awe of these people and greatly admire them. Thanks for sharing and have a lovely day, friend!

    Hugs to you!

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    • Hi Stephanie! Always a pleasure to see you here, my good friend!

      I think you are right! Maybe people like Linda have been through so much, they know what a helping hand can do. Great insight! I really need to step it up, and use my problems as fuel to help.

      Always such good things to say. Thank you!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Nan! Wow, there’s a ‘sign’ for you, huh? And it’s a beautiful one too. I know he can count on you, Nan. You are one of his faithful daughters.

      Bless you too!
      Ceil

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  21. I had to laugh when you explained “when I say we.” My husband is a kidder. When I say “we” my husband smiles and asks if I have a mouse in my pocket. I laugh now. He does so much, not me and that invisible mouse!

    Your story is much more inspirational than my wandering above. I love your name for it: God appointments!

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    • HI Jennifer! It’s the opposite at my house. My husband will say: “We should look into that.” What he really means is: “You should look into that.”

      But our husbands do a lot, no question. I am not a ‘caulk’ person, and I thank God that he is!

      Love your wandering :) That’s how we get to know each other too.

      Peace in Christ,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Mindy! You are right that God used the waterfall for good, but I guess I wish I’d pay attention another way!

      Not really, house upkeep is necessary, right? But how lovely that God doesn’t waste anything, not even a leaky shower!

      Thanks for coming, I always love to see your smiling face!
      Ceil

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  23. What a great story! Glad that Linda was motivated to refer him to the right place.

    I think she was able to help because she took an interest in her customer … so often we are caught up in our own world and don’t see the need.

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    • HI Jerralea! I am glad she was so motivated too, and unafraid! Maybe I would think the man didn’t want me to butt in…but she just got into ‘action’ mode.

      I want to be more like that. And take an interest, just like you said.

      Good to see you today!
      Ceil

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  24. What an inspiring story! What a wonderful woman Linda is, to step up and do something, most turn their heads to the hurting and ignore them. I think it’s amazing how God works in his children. Take it with Grace and do what you can. Because we never know if we are helping or entertaining God’s angels.
    My hubby is the “we” projects for those type of things too, I hope the ceiling leak was an easy fix! :)
    Blessings sweet friend,
    Amy

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    • Hi Amy! The leak was an easy fix, praise God! And thank goodness we have our “we” project guys too :)

      Entertaining God’s Angels. I like that! Kind of like the God appointment idea.
      I hope I don’t turn my head so much.

      Thanks for your inspired comment!
      Ceil

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  25. Looks like Linda was strategically placed in just the right area to help that family. As I discovered from a fall a while that help can come from the most unlikely places. Thanks for sharing this inspiring story.

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    • Hi Wanda! Thank you for coming over and leaving a comment too.

      Sorry about the fall? That doesn’t sound good at all. I hope you have healed and are doing better. I also read on another blog, that you don’t always get support in the places you think you might. Wise words.

      I loved sharing this story :) So good to meet you today! I hope you’ll come again, and we can get to know each other better!
      Ceil

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  26. What a blessing Linda is–and what an inspiring story. What if more of us were motivated to act immediately when we see a need? Obviously we can’t help everyone who needs it, but every little bit makes a difference.

    Thanks for sharing this inspiring story!

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    • Hi Jaimie! Thank you for coming over and making a comment too.

      Wouldn’t the world be such an awesome place if we all helped if we could…that would be heaven on earth.

      I hope you’ll come again, it would be so nice to get to know you better :)
      Ceil

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    • Hi Tara! Thanks for reading and commenting on multiple posts here, that is so kind of you.

      Stories like Linda’s are so inspiring, I agree. It makes you feel like there are people to be celebrated in this world. And I do pray that the man and his family are doing better.

      Peace in Christ,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Kim! Thanks for coming over today!

      She is a wonderful person Kim, you’d love her right from the start. And she really is a model of what we all should be. Servants!

      Happy Friday!
      Ceil

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  29. What a beautiful inspirational story. What one person simply can do. We are to connect with one another and she did that by connecting not only with him but connecting him to help. wow. great story

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    • Hi Jean! Thank you for coming, and I am so glad you liked the post. Linda is a really great, down to earth person. So open with her life…I could learn a lot from her!

      Peace,
      Ceil

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