CHANCE?

CHANCE

I used to think that my intersections with others that I met and forged a friendship with were chance occurrences – two people who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I have grown away from that notion not because of some lightning bolt revelation but based on in-depth reflections on some of those encounters.

The primary case study that I offer to you is of a relatively new friend – less than five years. Let me say up front that my “chance” encounters with others is usually driven by them not me. My friend and I met at church. She says I said “Hi” first which would have been out of character for me.

Our connection has been an awesome blessing. In a short amount of time (yes five years is short), she has learned that I am not a phone person and I have learned that she is quite inquisitive. Our friendship grew and flourished in a socially awkward period, the pandemic and has continued to do so.

Was our meeting by chance or was it a divine intervention?

She has helped me walk through some big life challenges – illnesses and leaving the work force. She didn’t cast me aside when I innocently exposed her and her family to Covid-19. She is grace- filled and has shown me grace. We dine and laugh together – two of my prerequisites for a friendship. I can’t say we have cried together because neither of us are criers, but we have commiserated the ills of life and society. Her friendship adds to my life, and I want to believe I do the same for her. So, I pose the question again, “Chance or divine intervention?”

I have always classified myself as guarded – I protect my heart. I move cautiously into relationships, and I don’t use the word friend frivolously. My reflection on the example given has me wondering – how many opportunities have I missed in meeting outstanding people because I am guarded? I don’t know. I do think I would have served myself better had I responded to others more often from a posture of curiosity and kinship rather than guardedness – ready to learn from and about others and to be known. This is more possible when I choose to think of encounters as a divine appointment and embrace it as such. What are your thoughts?

Psalm 37:23

PONDER THIS THOUGHT---The world is filled with beautiful souls and interesting people…GO meet some.