when you least anticipate it...

i met up with a friend today that i don't get to see real often. we live a little over 2 hours away from each other, so when we meet, we each drive halfway and end up in kalamazoo michigan. it was great seeing her and catching up on life. even though the distance between us isn't real long, we don't get together enough. life gets busy, schedules conflict, all that stuff.

we sat down at a table for six at panera, mainly because there wasn't a lot of seating left. obviously with only two of us, there was room at the end of the table for others to sit, but i think both of us really didn't anticipate anyone sitting down. to our surprise a middle aged guy asked if he could sit. of course we said yes, but in my mind i was thinking he'd eat his food, and we'd continue talking by ourselves.

i was wrong.

as we were talking about life and my friend was discussing a situation with one of her friends that is struggling with alcohol and some drugs, this guy spoke up and shared his opinion. at first i was surprised and maybe a little annoyed, because he was kind of "invading" our conversation. after a few minutes of him sharing a little of his story, i realized that this guy needed to be in a conversation more than we needed to have our own conversation.

we sat there for probably 45 minutes or so talking with him. about jobs, passions, hobbies, our pasts, goals, many things. it wasn't one of those conversations that was awkward or difficult to keep going. it just flowed.

i find it amazing that God works through us. he says he will, but when it happens, i am humbled by the fact that through my stubbornness, or MY plans, he is persistent enough to get my attention. to help change my mindsets. to sit and talk to a "stranger" who i may never meet again.

this is what it is all about. being the hands and feet of Christ. i think we all are blessed when we allow ourselves to be this, but i know i forget often how easy it is to obey and let my plans and schedules fail. failing in the sense that my focus is off me, and on others.

i pray that this man david will continue to seek truth and allow others to speak into his life, and also allow God to speak through him and his story.

lunch today was not only about catching up with an old friend, but meeting a new one and seeing Christ work. today was a good day. :)