A Divine Appointment.....At Stein Mart

I've always been a firm believer that God is very much into the details of our lives.  He places us at just the right place at just the right time for specific purposes and plans.  I can think of SO many instances where this has been true for me.  I often think of the way I met Matthew and how if I hadn't chosen dentistry as my career and then taken a particular job in a particular office and met a particular co-worker, I never would have been set up on a blind date with him, and therefore would never have met my soul mate.  It AMAZES me to think how intricately God weaves these details and how timing really is everything!  Have you ever narrowly missed being in a car accident, where a five second difference in time could have meant life vs. death for you?  Think about it!

With that being said, I have absolutely no doubt that what I'm about to share was a divine appointment carefully orchestrated by God Himself.

It was last Tuesday and Kyndall and I were running errands together since it was her Spring Break and we needed to get out of the house for a bit.  On a whim, I decided to pop into Stein Mart to look for some bedding accessories for Kyndall's new room.  We shopped around for almost an hour and I finally made my way to the cashier.  There was one lady ahead of me, so Kyndall and I patiently waited our turn in line.  As we were waiting, the lady in front turned around and began making small talk with me and as we were chatting she suddenly began complimenting me on my eyes.  Normally I would say thank you and be appreciative of the compliment, but these days it just makes me really uncomfortable when anyone takes notice of my eyes.  I never know if they are "fishing" for hints as to why my eyes are SO yellow or if they're sincerely complimenting me on my eyelashes.  This particular lady just went on and on and on.....to the point that I finally felt I should offer some kind of explanation.  Of course I thanked her but then briefly explained that the reason my eyes were so bright yellow is due to the fact that I have a liver condition which causes my eyes and skin to become very jaundiced.  She asked a few more questions and I answered by telling her I was recently placed on the liver transplant list at Vanderbilt.  Once she was done checking out, she went on out the door and that was that.

However, the sweet lady who was ringing us up had obviously been paying close attention to the small talk between the other customer and myself because as soon as it was my turn she too began to ask questions about what she had just heard.  She told me that she has a good friend here in Jackson whose daughter received a liver transplant just a few years ago.  She told me this girl was 31 at the time (my exact age) and that her transplant was done in Memphis.  My curiosity was sparked when I heard this because it's not everyday that you hear of someone in their early 30's who has gone through this.  She gave me a few details and then she wrote down some contact information for me to take home, in case I decided to reach out to this person and get to know her.

When she handed me the post-it note, I couldn't believe my eyes as the name read "ASHLIE".  Yes, this girl was not only my age but she also shared my same name!  (And with a unique spelling, to boot!)  Right away I felt like I needed to find this girl and get to know her.  I left Stein Mart and went about my day, but couldn't stop thinking about Ashlie.

As soon as I put Kyndall to bed that evening and got a chance to catch my breath, the first thing I did was sit down and try to find Ashlie on Facebook.  I had a first and last name so I figured it couldn't be that hard.  With one simple search I found her and as it turned out, we had several mutual friends here in Jackson.  I decided to send Ashlie a message and just see where things went.  I was hopeful that she would respond, but I also knew there was a chance she'd think I was a total creeper!  I explained how I came about her name and her story and even told her the sweet cashier's name, hoping she would realize that I was legit.  I began my message with the words "You're going to think I'm crazy but......"

The next day I received a very sweet response from Ashlie and her message began with the words "Here's the part where YOU think I'M the crazy one.....I was recently told about you and had gotten on your blog, but didn't want to bombard you with another message.  I was trying to figure out the best way to extend a hand, ear, support, etc....."

WOW.  She already knew about me!

She briefed me on her health history and also sent me the link to a blog that was kept throughout her journey leading up to and following her liver transplant.  I sat for HOURS and read every single entry and felt like I was looking at my own life from the outside in.  It was all too familiar, but in a very comforting way.  Her transplant was on December 26, 2010---A true Christmas miracle!  Ashlie also told me that she now lives in Nashville but that all of her family is still here in Jackson so she visits quite a bit on the weekends.  We've already made plans to meet up very soon and continue getting to know each other.  

Are you ready for yet another interesting fact?  Ashlie and I share the same birthday!!!  December 3rd!  When I realized this, I got MAJOR goosies!  How ironic is that?!  So....if you're keeping track.....We share the same name, we were/are both 31 at the time of our transplant listing, and we share the very same birthday!  Not to mention we both live/lived in Jackson, which is strange in and of itself simply because Jackson is such a small town.  On top of all that, we had both been told about one another by complete strangers and then ultimately brought together through the magic of technology and social media.  AMAZING!

I just can't help but think that Ashlie and I were meant to cross paths all along.  I mean, just think....If I had never gone into Stein Mart on a whim.....If I had not gotten in that particular check out line with that  particular cashier.....If the lady in front of me had never commented on my eyes and began a conversation about my liver.....If the cashier had never been bold enough to continue that conversation with me......If, if, if, if.....!!  There are so many little details that led me to that exact moment and I can't help but give the credit to God.  I don't believe in coincidences, but rather give the Lord His recognition where recognition is due!  I have even wondered if the nice lady in front of me who began the conversation about my eyes was possibly some kind of angel, sent for the purpose of starting a connection between the cashier and myself.  It's just strange to me how she went on and on about my eyes, almost as if she was prodding me for that bit of information regarding my health issues in order for the cashier to overhear the whole thing.  Who knows??  All I know is I am THANKFUL that I was in the right place at the right time in order to receive the blessing of a new friend who I feel will be a great source of encouragement and inspiration to me throughout this journey!  

Meet the BEAUTIFUL Ms. Ashlie.....

Thank you LORD for this divine appointment, in the most unlikely of places!  God's timing is ALWAYS perfect, isn't it??