I have just finished reading Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds by Tom Davis, and at the beginning of his book he challenges us to see Jesus in real people. The author says to go out and find Jesus, not because He is lost, but because He is out there if we will look for him.
Now I read that part of his book at Starbucks right before I had to go to the eye doctor AND the dentist for the day. It was not the most fun schedule I have ever come up with, but I was determined to find Jesus before the day was out, and did he ever show up!
I started at the eye doctor, whom I have been going to since I was a kid, and I got to share with him about our upcoming journey. He seemed interested and kept asking questions about where we were going and what we would be doing. Our conversation then turned to how I could best take care of my eyes in the field, and he wanted me to start using one-a-day contacts, so that they would always be as sanitary as possible. My first question of course was, “Is there going to be a price difference between those and what I am already using?” He smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I bet we can work something out.” Shortly after, he walked me to the check-out counter and talked to the lady ringing up my bill. He spoke to her for a minute and then turned to me and said, “I want to see you back in a week. Pay you’re your co-pay for your visit, and then whatever your insurance does not pay, it is on me. Consider it my contribution to your trip.” Now, I do not know how much money that will end up being, maybe $100 or maybe $5, but in all honesty, it does not even matter. The minute those words came out of his mouth, I thought, “I just found Jesus.” It was not in a book, not in some grand miracle, but in a human being who honestly cared about me and my journey.
Oh but my day was not over yet…
After leaving the eye doctor and calling Dustin to tell him what had happened, I headed off to the dentist.
When I arrived I was immediately sent back to get started with the dental hygienist. She was a peppy, smiling woman who immediately asked about my summer and what my plans were for the fall. Smiling, I told her about our trip and she had so many questions about it. Considering she had a mirror and a scraper thing in my mouth, our conversation took a little longer, but she still kept asking about it. In mid-conversation, she stood up and said, “You are going to need a lot of toothpaste!” and off she went searching the office for toothpaste. My appointment continued (I made it out without any cavities!), and I walked out with about 5 toothbrushes, 10 things of floss, and about 20 tubes of toothpaste. She kept apologizing that she did not have more toothpaste to give me, but I assured her that what she had done was enough. Again, I thought, “I just found Jesus.”
Now these moments may not seem like much to most people, but for someone like me who was asking for Jesus to show up in my day, it was huge! Instances like this have continued to happen, and I know it may sound crazy, but Jesus is everywhere! People continue to surprise Dustin and I with their support and excitement for what God is doing in our lives. For not only one person, but two, to realize the importance of what we are doing and for them to help out in whatever way they could, continues to affirm to us that God has an amazing purpose for us on this trip. We just need to continue to focus on Jesus and to search for Him in everyone we meet!
