Have you ever gone to the grocery store, coffee shop, gas station, or medical office with the intent to accomplish your personal tasks when “out of the blue” you run into someone and find yourself in a short yet richly meaningful conversation?
In those encounters have you ever felt you were a meaningful source of encouragement or that you yourself walked away richly encouraged? I have! Throughout my life I have had many of these moments that left me pondering, scratching my head and thinking “wow, I didn’t expect that today!”
I imagine I may have missed so many of these “unique connections” over the years simply by keeping a schedule so tight that I don’t even think I took time to look at those around me at all~~no margins to care.
Lately I have been trying to change the way I hustle through my day. I have been trying to look people in the eye, to smile, or to engage in small chatter as I move through my tasks. I have tried to choose to really listen, to care enough to pay attention and in doing so I have come to an interesting conclusion.
It appears to me that nothing happens by chance, in fact I believe these encounters are sacredly divine. In a world of disconnect, I suspect that God desires that people find connection throughout their days enough to orchestrate it, IF we are paying attention! I find this exciting, because we never know what He might do in us and through us within the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.
We all face challenges, hurts, points of sadness, loneliness, and uncertainty. In some of my lowest points a surprise encounter with a friend or a kind stranger has turned my day around.
Think about your own life…..Has God arranged some of these moments for you? Imagine what God could do if we were all fully committed to watching and making room in our schedules for those moments!
Next time you go to the grocery store, test my theory and look someone in the eye, smile, and see what God might do! 🙂
Proverbs 16:24
Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Dianna Salciccioli 
Great words Dianna! I am up for this challenge. You are right, we live our lives like walking microwave ovens–always in a hurry, wanting things quick and fast. We need to slow down and be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Thanks for the reminder. Your blogs are such a blessing! N. Page
Natalie! Great to read your comment and I agree-let’s do life a little different in the year ahead,k? 🙂
Excellent post. I’ve experienced all you’ve written about and try to do what you say on a daily basis. God is good all the time!
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Thank you for your response!! and Yes! God is good all the time! thank you for taking time to read!!