Today’s post may not be full of a thousand words. But its packed chock full.
Of heart.
Of soul.
Of spirit.
Of joy.
Of awe.
Of humble appreciation.
Of gratitude.
Of humanity.
What comes out of a simple invitation for hot chili on a cold winter day astounds me.
A new family, new to us, and us, new to them, came over for lunch. The house was picked up. Bathroom cleaned. Table set. Flowers in a vase. Nice-smelly candle lit. Fireplace on. Cozy was the call.
Doorbell rang. We did the usual introductions. Hung in the foyer a few minutes. And then invited them in. Fully in. Some of the kids were shy, some eager to play together, one full of questions (always, wink wink…).
We sat down and the floodgates opened. We shared. We exchanged. We laughed. We over-shared and apologized, but it didn’t matter, not one bit. It was rich.
And the whole time I am thinking and feeling grateful to be a part of a Larger God-Story going on here.
I love those moments, conversations, and meetings of new people, when you know God is behind the whole thing. That there is a reason I am now in your life. That there is a reason you are now in my life. Its naught for naught. Its deep. Its spiritual. I call these Divine Appointments.
And always, a Divine Appointment is orchestrated by God, who loves and cares deeply about people. He brings people together because someone needs wisdom. Or inspiration. Or healing. Or love. Or a word of encouragement. Or an act of kindness. Or a new friend. Or a special connection for personal or even business reasons. Or deep spiritual truth and conviction that always points one or another back to the Lord.
Yesterday’s hot chili-and-chips-or-cornbread-lunch may have filled up my tummy. Which lasts a few hours.
Yet our exchange with this new family filled up my heart and spirit forever. I am so very humble to be a part of what God is doing in someone else’s life. I am grateful that God would use me, (really, Chris and me), a person so flawed, so messy, so full of my own sinfulness and mistakes, to be of inspiration to another.
I always say that crisis brings clarity to one’s life. And it does. But on the happier flip-side, Divine Appointments with another human being also bring clarity and perspective on what really matters in this short life on Earth.
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