The craziest occurrences are happening lately. I’m reconnecting with people from my past that I haven’t seen in nearly a decade! At first it was just a few people that were integral in my life during the early years in college and I thought it was a mere coincidence that after all these years (and all these years of FACEBOOK CRAZE) that we would find each other, literally weeks before my story will be ‘exposed’ to all who care to read it.
Then this afternoon I’m meeting a friend for lunch in a restaurant that I don’t normally go to in a neighboring town. In fact, it’s so obscure I thought to myself about how bad the location was because you couldn’t see the restaurant from the main road. When I walked in it wasn’t surprising to see that many tables were empty as well. I found my friend sitting in at a table and she was only 1 of three tables that were occupied in the room. I didn’t pay much attention to the others and we ended up engrossed in conversation as soon as I sat down. Then I heard, “Excuse me, is your husband named Neal?” I look over at the stranger who addressed me and literally came out of my chair. It was my boss from nearly 13 years ago when I worked in the oil industry. I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t seen him since I left the company after having Ryan.
He introduced me to the men he was having lunch with and asked what I was doing these days. It felt so good to tell him and hear his approval. He was like a father figure to me during that period of transition and I’d forgotten how I had him read many of my early writings until he told the men at the table.
The time I worked for him was such a crazy time. It was write after I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I was on and off steroids, I was struggling in figuring out what it even meant to have ‘faith’ and then the vanishing twin pregnancy. This man’s shoulder bore many tears during those two short years. I am so grateful for the gift to get to reconnect.
This project is meant for me to recognize when God show’s up and/or to figure out how I have showed up for Him and I’ve learned so far this encompasses so many different facets of reality… or truth? I’m not sure what word could explain what I’ve felt these past two days. God is showing up all right…I feel Him in these minute occurrences…yesterday in the little blessings and today in the way decisions and last minute choices are made that can bring two people in this VAST WORLD back together in order to simply say ‘Hello’ (I remember you, you were important to me once and it is good to see you.)
It’s the constant integrated connection that is so amazing. I am just in AWE of God. And it brings me to remember one thing Msgr. Elmer shared with me during spiritual direction yesterday. I’m paraphrasing (badly), “Your life journey is about falling in love with God and then remaining in love with Him, allowing Him to love you and to be in love with you.”
It is in these little moments that I feel that love, the embrace of my Heavenly Father.
Thank you, God. 🙂
Blessings
Shannon