Over the last week, I had the pleasure of attending the ALCA Conference in Birmingham, AL. The conference was hosted by The Sheraton hotel. During this time I visited the vendors area to look at all of the goodies on display. I found a vendor that I knew and saw that she had an item that I had been eyeing for over a year and decided that it was time to bring it home. So, I happily made my purchase and left the room before I lost my mind in there, lol! After I left, I went to the general assembly ballroom to wait for my next session. I went to the back of the room (about 200 ft away) to fill my water bottle and when I turned back around my bag was gone! In the matter of literally two minutes, someone had taken my bag! I immediately notified the conference registration table and left my contact info in the case that someone “turned it in”. I also went to the hotel front desk to ask if someone reported any found items. The front desk clerk reached out to security to check and unfortunately no one had reported anything. She reassured me that she would be on the look out for my item. She told me a story of a similar experience and how she eventually recovered her items. Instead of sending me away, she asked if she could help me look for it. She left the front desk and escorted me to every lost and found closet, coat closet, storage closet. We spoke with the banquet manager and workers to inform them so that they can be on the look out for my bag. The conference staff was on alert as well. I was determined to find my items. After a few hours, we took a break and I grabbed lunch and went to my room. I remembered the message on the back of my shirt, prayed about it, and laid down for a nap before my next session. I told God that if its meant to be then all will be well and I will find it when I wake up. Lo and behold, I woke up to a text message, “We found your bag, come to the registration table”! I immediately went down stairs and got my items! I asked the lady if she knew where they found it, and she told me. Now, the details didn’t add up but that’s neither here nor there.
The real spotlight to this story is how so many women came together to help me in this quest. From the conference team, to the vendor I purchased it from, and an old co-worker that I ran into; they offered encouragement when my items were taken and they celebrated with me when it was found. We literally did a little praise dance together. But most of all, I am truly grateful for the hotel front desk rep. La’Toria Peterson went out of her way to escort me around this grand hotel to every possible area where it could have been. She followed up with security throughout the day and kept me updated. La’Toria was the true definition of customer service and of “my sisters’ keeper”. I made it a point to speak personally with her manager just to let her know how big of a gem La’Toria is to her team. In those moments, I was reminded of why 4HOPE Haven is so important to me. It’s those moments that others may consider as “little”, that encourgement and celebration are most important. Luke 16:10 states, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much”. In that little moment of anxiety and disappointment, these women- some of whom I did not know- came together to support me. A sisterhood was formed amongst strangers and a connection was established. They proved themselves to be trustworthy with my little problem, and it is my prayer that God trusts them with more!
I encourage each woman who reads this blog to be on the look out for a sister in need. Be ready to give an encouraging word, a listening ear, or a simple healing hug! We are all equipped to be a light to our sisters. Let’s do what we do best and impact the world!!! Please come back here and tell us how you shared your light in someone’s life; we can’t wait to celebrate with you!!
