January 6, 2021: The chaos at the US Capitol and the drama that played out in the media weighed heavy on my heart. I wanted to curl up in my chair and cry or pray. Real life beckoned when my daughter called to ask for help transporting my ten-year-old granddaughter Kyrstan to swimming. I wanted to say no as fatigue and discouragement zapped me of energy, but I could certainly help her in this small way.

I headed down the familiar road to her house, the one we lived in for seventeen years before she and her husband purchased it from us. Driving over the bridge that goes over the interstate, I noticed a teenage girl on the side of the road. She looked upset, but I’d driven past her by the time it registered what I’d seen. Since the bridge is narrow, I went to the end of the road and then circled back to the bridge. Sight is limited so until I crested the bridge, I couldn’t see her. Pulling up next to her, I rolled down my window.

“Hun, are you okay?” She shook her head no. “Can I help you?” She again indicated no. I glanced in my rearview mirror, worried I could be hit from behind. “I can’t leave you here. I promise I’m safe. Please get in the car so I can see how I can help you.” She hesitated a moment, then glanced to check for traffic, crossed the road, and climbed into the passenger seat. Before she even buckled herself in, she blurted out, “I was going to jump from the bridge and kill myself.”

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me as I struggled with what to say. Tears filled my eyes and I reached to touch her while pulling my car off to the side of the road, navigating to a safer location. “I’m so glad you didn’t,” I choked out. I let some silence fill a moment. As I turned the car around, I added, “I need to get my granddaughter and take her to swimming, but after I drop her off, would you go with me for coffee so we can talk?” She agreed.

As we drove the short distance to my daughter’s home, she softly wept. When Kyrstan got in the car, she inquired about my passenger, but accepted my “she’s a friend” response. Before long, the girls were chatting about games and apps I’d never heard of. As they visited, I learned her name and that she was sixteen. I appreciated Kyrstan who helped break the ice.

After dropping off Kyrstan, my new friend and I went to a coffee shop. She shared that her friend had recently died. I let her vent and cry, then told her I also lost my best friend at about her age. I reminded her that God is always with us and for us. While we sipped on our hot drinks, she made a few calls and soon came up with a plan. An hour later, I dropped her off at a home she assured me was safe while she waited for her uncle to come get her. As I gave her a hug, I handed her my card and peered into her face. “Someday, someone will need you as much as you needed someone tonight. Please be there for them. Don’t quit on life.” She nodded through her tears as she returned my hug and thanked me.

God deserves all the honor and glory for what happened. I simply did what any decent person would do. Had I remained in my sulking slump due to the January 6th events at the Capitol, I’d have missed out on the most important task God planned for me that day. I am so grateful He used me for that brief moment in that young woman’s life. The encounter changed my life and hopefully hers as well. What a powerful reminder that He is always at work. Even on hard days, He has kingdom work for us to do. Sometimes it’s just a matter of showing up.

Galatians 6:9, “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.” (MSG)