Last November, when Janina and I were coming home from squad leading the P Squad we had a 23 hour layover in Rome, Italy. Of course, we went out to see as much as we could. We were exhausted from barely any sleep the last few days with the squad. So our quick trip seemed to be an extraordinarily long day.
By about 4 in the afternoon we needed a place to rest. We just wanted to sit for a little while and watch people and enjoy the surroundings. We found a cute little cafe and were waited on by this amazing old, Italian man. Seated next to us was another couple, who just like us were sharing tasty treats like tiramisu and some yummy Italian coffee.
Janina went to the bathroom and when she came back she noticed that the couple had left and had been replaced by a man. Her response to me was, “Kim, I think I know him.� Then she started wondering where she knew him from. I turned around and recognized him right away. I told her, “Janina, that’s Harvey Dent, from The Dark Knight.� (Aaron Eckhart)
We whispered and wondered if it was really him. We talked about how we didn’t know his real name and I joked about having him take a picture of us with the waiter, but not with him. But in the end we did nothing. That day he was just a regular guy drinking coffee doing touristy things. He had nothing on him but a camera and his attaché case. No body guards. Just normal.
I kind of regret not saying something. At least acknowledging the fact that we knew that he was an American touring in Italy or something. But we chickened out.
he was at a Premiere that weekend in Rome.
Tonight…
After the Gungor concert tonight we happened to be able to go to the VIP backstage area. I know, I’m God’s favorite. 🙂 We waited in line to meet Michael and Lisa Gungor. It’s a little different waiting to meet people who are in the spotlight. You never know what to say, they are after all just normal people who just happen to have a ridiculous amount of creativity that God has lavished on them.
So as I waited God downloaded a word from him especially for Lisa. Awesome God. I chicken out when I’m in front of famous people, now you want me to give her a word from you? Huh.
We were towards the back of the line and I watched as others went and met them. Though they were tired and ready to get out of there, they had conversations with everyone that came to meet them. I didn’t really notice Michael as much as I noticed Lisa. She is gracious and gentle, she welcomed every person and made them feel like they were already friends.
Then it was our turn to get our picture taken with them. Ugh. Stacy made small talk about how amazing the vintage wedding dress was that she was wearing. Then Lisa turned and looked at me and slightly turned her chin up with a furrowed brow. SHE asked ME, “Do I know you?�
What? No. I’m not anyone YOU would know.
Man that threw me off. She said I looked like a girl that she went to school with. I awkwardly told her no, that we didn’t know each other. Then I proceeded to tell her what God had said. The delivery was me basically stumbling through everything I needed to say and repeating it again in a different way. Again, she is a very gracious person. She thanked me and I could tell she was very genuine in receiving what God was saying. Then we stepped to the side to let the other girls get their pictures taken.
Why couldn’t I have just had a normal conversation with her, Lord? I know that you know better than I do. I pray that those were the exact words that she needed to hear tonight, but really? I would have rather had small talk about knowing each other and become instant BFF’s.
Don’t worry I have another chance. The next time I’m planning on being in Indianapolis Gungor and the David Crowder Band are there. Yep, I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to go again! Not just to say hi again, but really because the concert was that amazing. Start planning now if you live in Indianapolis, the concert is October 26!!!
