...Julie
She’s a woman I met near the White House a few weeks ago. I’m using a false name (Julie) to protect her identity, but I’ll never forget her kind heart. I had been out there during a protest, working on gathering interviews for a video I’m planning to publish on my YouTube channel soon. When no one wanted to share their opinion on the questions I was asking, she was the first to step up. She had a brave and open soul, willing to speak up when others hesitated.
She was there with her little son, who was undoubtedly one of the sweetest little ones I’ve ever had the honor of meeting. He gave me such a warm hug upon meeting me, and I’ll forever remember that feeling of genuine love from such a young child. Julie was dealing with so much, yet she remained strong, for the sake of her son. She was grieving, but despite that, she stood firm, holding it together to be the strength he needed. In that moment, I saw someone who was enduring hardships with grace and love; someone who carried her burdens with courage.
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” -Psalm 55:22
Julie reminded me of the importance of clinging to God, even when life feels heavy. She told me that I reminded her of that, but what she didn’t realize is that she too was reminding me of the same thing. In the midst of her pain and struggles, she demonstrated the power of relying on God, even when everything feels uncertain. Her unwavering faith and strength gave me hope, especially as I face my own low spots in life.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18
Even now, her words resonate with me. I know that God places people in our paths for reasons we may not fully understand at the time. In my encounter with Julie, I saw a reflection of God’s grace. I was reminded that no matter the hardships we face, God is near, ready to lift us up when we are broken. She showed me that we must remain strong and anchored in faith, even when the road ahead seems difficult.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
I am so glad that God allowed me to meet Julie. She gave me a renewed sense of hope and courage, even in my darkest moments. I hope to see her again, and I’m counting on God for that, knowing that His plans are far greater than anything I could imagine. I pray that God blesses her and her son with peace and joy, and that they find the healing they need. In the meantime, I’ll hold onto the reminder that no matter what we face, we must cling to God’s promises and trust in His faithfulness.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.” -Psalm 28:7