- photo by Susan PageIt was a breathtaking, pleasant Sunday afternoon. With my camera slung over my shoulder, I was finishing an enjoyable walk through the waterfront park. Taking a detour down a side street to admire the blossoming Magnolia trees as worship music streamed through my earbuds, all seemed right with the world. The song playing was “It is well with my soul.”

An elderly woman came across the lawn of a home I was passing and asked, “What are you listening to?”

I responded, “Worship music.”

She at once started singing “Amazing Grace,” with a strong, clear, melodious voice, somewhat like I imagine an angel might have.

I complimented her on her voice and mentioned the song I’d been listening to. Again, she burst out in song with the lyrics, “When peace like a river attended my way, when sorrows, like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”

I suddenly heard myself asking her if she knew Jesus. Her response took me by surprise. She said, “Kind of.”

She went on to explain that she was born in Jamaica and had been brought up with the knowledge of Jesus. She shared about the recent loss of her husband and how “It is well with my soul” was sung at his funeral. She was grieving, and I expressed my condolences and told her to keep singing these songs as they would bring her comfort. She apologized for “burdening me,” and I assured her it was no burden at all. This was where our conversation ended.

This beautiful soul “kind of” knew my Jesus.

She stayed in my thoughts as I wondered if I could have said more. Could I have done more? This much I do know, I will take that back loop through my neighbourhood on future walks. I don’t believe it was a detour but rather an opportunity given by God’s Holy Spirit. I pray I will have another chance to share the love of Jesus with this dear woman who matters so much to Him. I pray that God’s Spirit will be at work in her heart so that someday she can say with certainty that she knows Jesus and that indeed “it is well” with her soul.

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” Colossians 4: 5, 6.

Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.