Hmmm . . . the coolest things happen when you least expect them. I stood in the middle of the bookstore reading the back of a book called "Walking With God" to my best friend of 31 years. The narrative told how we trudge through life, doing our best to figure it all out. Some of us however figure out that we can walk with God and learn to hear his voice. As we stand there we realize a gentleman over our shoulder peering into a Will Rogers Quotes book. As we turn around he looks up and smiles and said "What book were you reading from?". We spoke for a while about the book and how interesting it sounded. We continued the conversation of books, the connection of Will Rogers to my friend from Oklahoma, the bible study he is in, how I came to Florida by way of my husbands job transfer, how he was transferred here with Pan Am many years ago, and how we both lived at one time on the east coast of Florida. We marveled at the similarities and things we had in common. One thing led to another and my friend said something about being here for my birthday. He ask when it was and when I told him he said "No way, that's my birthday". Of course, we didn't believe him so he pulled out his drivers license to prove it. Sure enough, low and behold, July 18th, same exact day as mine. We had a nice talk about churches and he told us about First Assembly in Ft. Myers. Standing in the middle of the book store I thought how amazing God is, that in all the places the three of us could have been, doing who knows what, that at that exact moment in time he chose for us to make a connection.
God really is everywhere connecting one human being to another for the mere purpose of fellowship. Walking with God means taking the time to slow down long enough to strike up a conversation after a smile, and if we listen long enough we just might hear his voice.
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WOW! I am really imporessed. This is a great blog. It is now on my faves. You write so beautifully(word?) Life is short and this has given me something to think about because i think daily about how my life is compared to what i think it was going to be. It is so much better with God in it and walking with him then by myself, but i think i need to slow down and enjoy it instead of being so unhappy and closed in. Thank you Sheila
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, Sheila! I'm all about journaling and this is a great way of holding yourself accountable to what God has instructed you to do...to go and be Jesus to others. As you already know, you will marvel at the things God is doing in your life when you are paying attention. I love this! Oh, and I LOVE Needtobreathe. Saw them in concert last year, and they are coming back in a couple of months!
ReplyDeleteHI~
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blessing! What bookstore were you in? Pastor and I met in Books-a-Million bookstore in Pensacola, FL 14 years ago! God really does work in the bookstore!
Some missionary friends go to an ice cream shop to witness to people. We started going to Waffle House once in a while to witness to people. Getting out into the community and our neighborhoods, as you recommended, is a good way too.
We make invitations and pass them out to our neighbors when we have movies or picnics at church.
We're looking for more ways to reach out in the community. We're open for ideas...got any? Keep up the good work. ~ kat