Nelu/2009-2015

Nelu was the Indian lady that worked at 7-11 where I used to buy my diet Pepsi every morning. She was shorter than me, not even “5”, and a little older than me. But God put her in my path to tell her about Jesus Christ.

For years, I sauntered to the 7-11 that was just next door to buy my Double Big Gulp.

Nelu was the cashier in the mornings, and we began to have a rapport with one another. When you see someone on a daily basis you begin to see that person in a different light.

One day I asked her about her own faith. She told me she was a Hindu, and that they had many, many gods. I asked her about her beliefs, and if she went to her church. She told me she prayed. I asked her who she prayed to, she said her prayers were not directed towards any particular god. But that she was faithful in her prayers I told her about Emma, about her mental illness, and she offered to pray for her.

We developed a friendship, during Easter she would give me candy for Emma. I would give her Christmas cards with my phone number in case she ever wanted to get together outside of the store. We were two women of different faiths who gravitated towards one another.

She said all religions lead to Christ. Why would she say that? It is as if her heart knew that Christ is Supreme, that Christ is above every other principality and power.

I don’t know how she could have felt any love or loyalty towards so many gods? It isn’t conceivable. She was a searching soul looking for the truth that everyone’s heart longs for, the rest of Jesus Christ.

Nelu was weary, as I was weary. She was the older sister of the owner of that 7-11. We shared our hearts for awhile. I told her when my father passed away suddenly. She commiserated with me. Her heart was especially kind to me during this tumultuous time in my life.

I saw her for a few years, then I stopped drinking diet Pepsi, I stopped going. I would go to the store every once in a while, but it wasn’t the same, the closeness we had shared once was gone. But I continue to pray for her.

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