This is Day 2 of a journey I'm on to connect with strangers. If you're interested in reading about the background concerning this adventure, you're encouraged to read "Connections - Day 1" - my blog entry dated July 9, 2010.
I have been out and about quite a bit on this sunny Saturday, and I've had plenty of opportunities to meet and talk with strangers along the way. Because of that, it was an "easy" connection day, however, I believe the Lord has encouraged me to pay special attention to particular connections because He wants to train me in the ways of relationship. Today, through my "stranger connection", the Holy Spirit revealed some difficult realities about me and my self-focused life. Although it was painful in some respects, I am exceedingly grateful for the light of truth because I believe the Lord is ushering me out of the cloistered, self-protective life, and into a more confident vulnerability in relationship.
I'd like to introduce you to Julie. Julie is a pleasant, middle aged woman with four grown daughters and several grandchildren. One of her daughters adopted a beautiful baby girl eight months ago from a Buffalo area agency, and that baby is an answer to prayer for this family. Julie has had some difficult things happen in life in the past couple years, most recently a house fire destroyed a three-apartment home she and her husband owned. Her 86 year old father-in-law, one of their tenants, was burned in the flames and spent some time recently in the hospital managing pain, and getting skin grafts. Thankfully, he is going to be fine. They're going to hold a benefit in town soon, to raise money for their displaced tenants and I'm hoping to be able to attend that benefit. I am so very grateful that I had this connection with Julie.
So far, so good, right? You may be wondering why I said that God used this stranger connection to reveal the awful selfishness of my heart. The sad fact is, Julie has lived next door to me for the past 8 years, but until today, I couldn't have told you what her first name was. I met her today, for the first time, at her daughter's garage sale - that's right: for the first time! Why have I not pursued this friend before? Busy-ness? Insecurity? Fear of rejection? Timidity? Probably all of those things and more. Some may say, "She's not really a stranger - she was your neighbor" but as I said, I never met her before. I've waved "Hi" as I've driven by her walking along the road, but not once, did I pursue a conversation of any substance with her. :( I'm confident this is the stranger connection God ordained for today - reminding me that sometimes strangers are right under our noses. We don't have to look far. Perhaps God put Julie in that house next door, so that He could reveal His heart for her, through His life in me. How wrong it has been of me to hide that life and light. Father, forgive me, open my eyes, and help me cross the barriers. Thank you for Your grace and continue to teach me YOUR ways of relationship.
For the purist out there, who may still feel as though Julie was not a "true" stranger, let me introduce you to Dan - a complete stranger I had the pleasure of meeting this evening. Dan just graduated from high school two weeks ago and has enlisted in the Air Force. His dad wanted him to enlist in the Navy because his grandfather was a sailor, but when he talked to the Naval recruitment officer, he was encouraged to indicate that he was a Native American so he could be specially assigned to Naval security (because minorities were given special consideration for that position). Dan is not Native American, but he is a young man of integrity. He decided that he could NOT knowingly lie in order to obtain his preferred assignment, so instead, enlisted in the Air Force. His desire is still to work in security and enforcement, but he's willing to serve however the Air Force determines. He's still waiting for his orders that will determine his future and soon after he will head to a Texas Air Force base for training. In the meantime, Dan works at Wal-Mart.
Father - thank you for Dan and his heart to serve and to live true. It's encouraging to know there are young men committed to integrity, and willing to lay their lives down for their country. Please reveal YOUR heart to Dan, guide and direct his steps, and help him surrender his life to You. Thank you, Father.
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