Most people that know me well know how much I love Starbucks. I love going there to sit down and just listen to music, read, and just enjoy the atmosphere there. I can lose a day inside Stabucks doing just that. Today after my leadership meeting at church I headed to Starbucks and sat down for a minute when I ran into a friend Katie. Katie was just coming in to pick up her friend John. As they were getting ready to leave she asked me if I wanted to join them for lunch. As we were getting ready to leave I guy named George says to Katie " I overheard you talking about the World Race can I buy you guys lunch so you three can hang out and talk more." Not what we were expecting to hear. So he walks us over to a Japanese place called Kiku. Of course we were expecting him to eat with us but he told us he didn't have time. So he just paid for our sushi and went on his way. After he left John started to pray over George, and Katie and I followed suit. (The day was truly taking a spirtual turn) So we finished our meal and left to go back to Katie's place with plans to go to a lakehouse of some friends after we rested from our meal. Katie and John have been friends since they were freshman in college so a lot of the conversation revolved around John and I telling each other about what we each do. John is a Captain in the US Air Force. If my day had of just ended there laying on Katie's floor it would have been enough in my mind. Of course God is bigger than that.
We eventually decided it was time to not be lazy and head to the lakehouse. When we got there we had the intention of the three of us getting in a canoe and paddling out. We were disappointed to get there and find it gone.(If we only knew) So we decided to just sit on the back deck and enjoy the Sun and the overlook of the lake. We continued conversations about life and what God is teaching us and doing in our lives. After maybe an hour a kayak showed back up with a girl named Alison on it she came on the deck and told us a girl named Erin was on the canoe and having a difficult time controlling it by herself so it would take a minute for her to get back. Finally Erin joined us on the deck. We made introductions and really became instant friends. Alison had just moved here to be a part of the Adventure in Missions community three weeks ago. When I told her I was going on the race she was very excited for me as a previous racer herself. We shared with each other. John and I poured into Erin about direction while Katie and Alison spent some time inside with some other friends. Before we all went our separate ways we took a moment and prayed over John as he is getting ready to start a new training assignment. Truly one of the most authentic prayers I have been a part of. God had brought us all together for that moment. If i had not meet up with Katie and John at Starbucks they may have grabbed two kayaks and the moment never happens.
I may have started my day thinking I was going to spend time at Starbucks, but it was more. John and Katie may have started the day thinking two old friends were getting another chance to catch up, but it was more. Alision and Erin may have started the day thinking that they were going to enjoy a beautiful day on the lake, but it was more. All those appointments we had made for ourselves all lined up to us all coming together as the body of Christ working as one glorifying his name. God had a divine appointment for us all that none of us could have eve imagined. I know it lifted my spirits and I believe everyone else's as well. I love how life is so much better when HE is setting the schedule.
