Today has been a rather slow day. It’s nice though because since it’s my first day back home, I guess I needed something a little slow. I didn’t really go out looking for a conversation today, but if I’m being honest, I haven’t been for the past few months. Now, instead of searching people out with a mission, I just run into people and can’t help but mention the Gospel or the work that God is doing all over the world.
Being at home, especially a smaller Alabama town, it’s not always easy to meet new people. Sure, they’re everywhere, but it’s fun to find out that you’ve actually met them before. I ran into Brian at our local thrift store today and had no idea I already knew him. I just started talking with him and before I knew it, we were reminiscing our high school days together (it’s easy to forget people in a school with 800 plus in each grade…). The craziest part is that Brian used to be one of the boys I would fight from back then. I was a little hesitant when all the pieces finally aligned, but I got a warm welcome from him.
I told him a little about the Philippines and what I have been doing, but I focused a little more on what the Gospel was doing over there. He just said it must be fun and crazy doing all that work and it’s good those people have someone. Turns out Brian is in the process of turning his life around. Even though we are the same age and I graduated from college two years ago, he’s still working through his second year. He told me that after he spent enough time on the streets and running with this group of guys, he knew he needed to get his act together. My first response was just to tell him well done, but then I pushed a little farther…
“Just don’t feel that void with something else that won’t satisfy.”
He just smiled at me and shook my hand. A few years ago this guy wouldn’t even come near me without some choice words or little more, but now he’s just smiling. He’s on a new path, I just pray it’s one that’s a little more satisfying…
