I was walking the dog on the greenbelt trail and a woman caught my eye and waved me over. She’d met my teenage daughter the day before – they’d enjoyed a conversation while the dog swam – and she wanted me to know how much she’d enjoyed the company of both.
After some pleasantries I turned to go. “What I didn’t tell your daughter” she said quietly, is that my life is very hard right now…”
I waited. I asked for light. I marveled at God’s timing.
“My daughter is five-months pregnant, her fiancé just committed suicide, and his family blames us for his death.”
I’ve been a minister in the household of God for almost a decade, and if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that God’s mission is to be physically present in his world through the ordinary, lived-out, quotidian lives of those who would wear his Name.
God’s intention was for this woman’s life to intersect with my daughter’s life one day and mine the next. Why? So that He might be with her in the cold, dark and broken shards of her human life. So that his healing and holy presence might be embodied in a tangible way. So that she might know – and trust in – the care of a God who truly cares.
And our God’s intention is to do all this using humble, earthy, and ‘non-spiritual’ means, like walking the dog and smiling at strangers. Isn’t that amazing?
Friends, look up and be not afraid. Wherever you go, and whomever you encounter in the mundane goings-and-comings of your ordinary life, you bring the healing presence of Jesus – his light and shalom – into the cold, dark, and broken of a weary world.
Shalom and light to you and yours,
Kim
Given Breath 
I adore this aspect of God. His timing is always perfect. My wish for all of his faithful would be to experience this type of intersection. It truly is one that cannot be manufactured, only experienced through the marvelous designs of our magnificent Creator and Lord. May the words of your mouth and your presence be healing balm to the woman and her daughter. God bless you.
There are no coincidences…only divine appointments. May we be filled up to overflow so that we can share His goodness at a moment’s notice.
Yes, yes and yes. Earthy, quotidian, and non spiritual- God’s wonders to perform. Thank you for this. And thank you for writing again!!
Thank you for writing again! Praise God for His timing.
I think half the battle is just recognizing all the circumstances God sends us. How many times have we missed the privilege of being His heart, hands and voice in someone’s life. I know, as I have gotten older, I recognize and value those opportunities much more!
Beautiful uplifting, and powerful. Thank you, Kim
Beautifully written and very good encouragement for me! ♥️
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Kim,
I continue to read your blog with thanksgiving for your insight and God’s gracious gifting to you. Sharon would have been overjoyed to read this. I still miss her!