Hey friends, welcome to the Graceology with Gwen Smith podcast.

I'm Gwen Smith and I'm really glad you're here.

Each week I host two different shows, one with incredible guests and meaningful conversations,

and one called A Moment of Grace, where

it's just me, talking to just you, in a reflective, devotional style to help connect those

busy, bruised, and broken places to the beautiful hope of Jesus. So now I invite you to sit

back and take a deep breath as I share with you a moment of grace.

God used a crock pot that day, not mine, hers.

That casual friend I ran into at the grocery store who looked put together on the outside,

but was pulled apart on the

inside by a heart wound that dripped of fear and insecurity and doubt. She was at the store because

her crockpot mysteriously didn't work that day. Though it had been loaded in the morning,

the chicken was not edible come dinner time because it was still raw.

Her crock pot was turned on and plugged in, but never heated up.

It was time to feed my people, and I was in a rush to grab what I needed.

Always a rush.

We met at the corner of eggs and pretzels.

It wasn't a coincidence. It was an appointment set in God's calendar. One I had no idea I was just on time for. We were both on time. He set the

appointment. His spirit led the conversation. Both she and I knew it by the divine traces of grace, truth, and peace that covered our hearts

as we said goodbye through tears and a hug. We smiled as our carts crossed paths again at the

checkout line, knowing we both came for groceries, but were leaving with what we needed even more.

For me, it was a fresh measure of gratitude,

...