Drunk lady in the bathroom

Recently I was at a wedding dancing until midnight - what fun! I am terrible at dancing but recently have come to love doing it. My dad doesn't dance either, but there we were, dancing until they shut it all down! I had a blast, but it was time for bed and I was just making a quick pit stop before I headed home.

As I was in the stall, I could hear another lady come in. Her giggling and silly chatter made it apparent she was at least a little tipsy. Then she asked me, "So, what's your story?"

What's my story? Seriously?

I didn't answer, then after she repeated the question, said in a light tone, "Wow, that's pretty deep for this time of night!" and tried to laugh it off. I was on the toilet, after all - this was weird.

"Really now, what's your story?" She asked again. "What's your greatest accomplishment in life? Do you have a degree in something? Do you have kids?" I came out to wash my hands, as did she.

I said, "Well, I have a daughter."

"Well, THAT's your greatest accomplishment then! There's nothing more important than that!"

I wasn't sure how to respond and struggled to put my thoughts together. I was probably taking this way too seriously, but I just felt so uncertain how to express how my perspective had changed since my recent mission trip to the DR. (Why did it even matter? I should just agree with her and get out, right? Something told me it did matter.)

"Have you heard of an elevator interview? You know, where you have 2 minutes to sum yourself up?" she laughed, "Well, you just failed!"

I had to laugh. I apologized, telling her I had recently gone on a mission trip and I felt like a new person, was just figuring out who that was. I felt called to share Him more. I hoped I would make an impact beyond my daughter, on the students that I teach, and maybe others.

She wasn't having it- "No, your daughter is your greatest achievement, your greatest source of influence."

So then I had to know, "What is your story?"

What followed blew me away. She proceeded to tell me her only son who was only 20 had died 4 years ago. My jaw fell open, "Was he (the bride's) cousin?" I remember when that happened, it was so sad. He had a brain tumor and it was quick. I told her I remembered that and had prayed for her back then. We talked a while, me mostly listening, and both of us in tears and hugging. She shared how she almost didn't come to the wedding, didn't think she could handle it, telling of the dark road she has walked these past years, through deep depression, a marriage in shambles, now stronger than ever, through counseling for grief and marriage. She was grateful for my prayers and we spoke openly of how amazing God is, how we cannot make it without Him.

I almost dismissed her as some drunk lady in the bathroom. But she was a beautiful woman who was going through something unimaginable. God was able to use even me, even there, at even that late hour.

So now, I have to ask, what is your story?