I think I had bent down to pick up yet another toy. I don’t remember. I do know I was sitting in my hallway trying not to cry when the doorbell rang. I wanted to act like no one was home, but seeing as how one rambunctious toddler and one wailing boy baby were informing the guest that there was indeed life inside and tons of it, I pulled myself to my feet.
I glanced around on my way to the door, grimaced at the chaos, and hoped against hope that it wasn’t anyone I would actually have to invite into our madness. Of course it was. Standing at my front door, wearing the sweetest of how-are-you smiles was an elderly lady from our church. You know I let her in. 
Mrs. Honeycutt told me that she had been heading home from running an errand when I came to her mind and she felt maybe the Lord wanted her to drop in on me. I remember how she tried to get me to open up with a gentle observation, something like “I know life with little ones sure can get overwhelming at times.” Bless her heart, I didn’t just open up, I erupted into a bawling mess even as I assured her that we were fine, just fine. Fortunately, she didn’t believe a word of it. Instead, she asked me if could stay a while and rock the baby while I played with Jessica or got a few things done around the house. “Whatever you need to do,” that’s what I remember her saying. The reprieve was very much appreciated, but it was dwarfed by the startling realization that God cared enough about my mommy-hood meltdown to send backup!
That story came back to me just now as I sat down to write about guiding lights, mentors, saints and wonders. Since I have spoken at length on this porch about my parents, my husband, and my BFF, all of them huge qualifiers in those categories, I challenged myself to think of other people who have steadied me along life’s way. Mrs. Lucy Honeycutt is one of those people. Today she is in her mid-nineties and she is still going strong, tending to sick and shut-ins who are half her age. By anyone’s definition, Mrs. Lucy is a saint and a wonder. I aspire to live a life where the same can be said about me!
Hugs,
Shellie
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is an author, speaker, radio host and Belle of All Things Southern, http://www.allthingssouthern.com, who has been helped, steadied, and guided by many of God’s living lights.
8 comments
Rachel Hauck says:
March 15, 2013 at 10:25 am (UTC -5 )
Oh Shellie, what a great story! I love how God uses people like this, I love even more those who are sensitive to His leading.
I want to be a Mrs. Honeycutt!
Love,
Rachel
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
March 15, 2013 at 11:19 am (UTC -5 )
Thx, Rachel! She is definitely a role model to many. Happy to have you join us!
Lisa Wingate says:
March 15, 2013 at 10:58 am (UTC -5 )
This story brought me to tears! Every mom has had “that” day — the one where you want to just walk out the door and keep walking. Bless Mrs Lucy’s heart! That kind of support is priceless and a God-given gift. How perfect that she knew you needed her right then, and what a sign that God never wants us to have to go it alone through the tough times. Maybe Mrs. Lucy needed a baby to rock right about then, too!
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
March 15, 2013 at 11:20 am (UTC -5 )
Thx, Lisa! The telling of it brought tears back to my eyes, too!
I love your thought that perhaps she needed a baby to rock, too. Now, wouldn’t THAT be just like God?!
Julie Cantrell says:
March 15, 2013 at 1:01 pm (UTC -5 )
Love this story, Shellie. Mainly b/c it encourages us to follow those nudges (as Nancy Rue calls them). I have called a friend so many times out of the blue to say, “I just had a feeling I needed to call you,” and every single time they would break down (sometimes in tears)and say, “Oh, Julie. How did you know?” Sometimes, it has been a dream. Other times, just a nagging feeling I can’t get away from. I’ve often felt like they’d think I was crazy…why are you calling/emailing/writing/ stopping by uninvited…but every time, it has been the right thing to do. I’m so glad Mrs. Lucy found you that day, and I love seeing the photo of such a sweet spirit.
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
March 15, 2013 at 9:05 pm (UTC -5 )
Glad you enjoyed my story, Julie. May we all heed the “nudges!”
Jorie says:
March 15, 2013 at 4:16 pm (UTC -5 )
Being in the honest moment of intuition can guide us to do extraordinary things whilst living our ordinary lives,… moments where we can tap into an awareness that can lend such a positive effect on those we know dearly or those we only know in passing. I love reading stories of life moments that erupt inside our lives, where we become connected to people around us in small ways that we never thought would be possible! I wish I could say I have this happen to me or my family, but where we want to lay our hat next, I think will open up a whole new world of community and neighbourly ties. I tend to live in a place where everyone is looking out for themselves and doesn’t really reach out to get to know anyone outside their personal sphere. Not that that has stopped us from giving back whenever we can, but its awkward more than its joyous. Its a contradication to how I grew up, but as I know I won’t always live here, it only bothers me half of the time it used too! Laughs. Personally, I find more joy out in nature these days, rather than interacting with the ‘locals’… and the kind souls I find that agree with me, and walk amongst the birds + wildlife. They too, are in tune with a rhythum of life I understand…
I think one of my greatest joys is aiding people through random kindnesses,… such as Mrs. Honeycutt!!
Such a kind soul, caring lady, whose goodness shines through all the love she freely gives and has returned to her! 
Thank you for sharing such an uplifting ending to a sweet week full of lovely people who have blessed each of your lives!! 
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson says:
March 15, 2013 at 9:06 pm (UTC -5 )
You are most welcome, Jorie! And THANK YOU for sharing the porch with us. I enjoyed your thoughts this evening. Have a great weekend.