The whirlwind of life continually swirls from all directions. A joyous, multi-day, multi-venue Fletcher High School 40th class reunion had just ended. Words can barely describe the depth of connections and strengthening of bonds that transpired during the exhilarating celebration. Such powerful camaraderie was a communal experience for all those who attended.
Now, real-life unfolding adventures required refocus. 6:00 was an appointed time to dine with Janae at one of her favorite spots offering Asian cuisine. In approximately 24 hours her life would shift and change in course-setting, consequential ways. She would start, under a preceptor, training as a nurse on the MedSurg floor of a formative hospital. My first priority, in arriving at the restaurant, was finding the ladies’ room.
Returning to the table, I noticed a young stranger leaning to chat with Janae. His co-worker was his dining companion. I ascertained from the short haircuts and the uniform they were seamen from the local Naval base. I prematurely pined that perhaps he found her attractive. As Janae took her turn finding the facilities, I thought maybe he would ask me if she was single. The young man tilted toward me until our heads almost touched. He asked a very different question, “Have you ever experienced great pain in your life?”
For a fraction of a second, the room spun, drowning in the thoughts that flooded my mind. I felt a sarcastic chuckle arise internally, Pain, ha? Where do I begin? My special child? Her death? My divorce? The loss of Mom? Yet, my verbal response to him was a clear, concise, “Yes, I have.” Instantly, he broke down crying, catching his face in his cupped hands, “I am twenty-six and I am going through a divorce.” I rubbed his back; my heart felt deep, motherly compassion toward him. I knew some of the pain of this cataclysmic event that was unfolding in his life. Upon his consent, I reached out to touch his hand and prayed.
I told him that I knew about divorce and about pain in general, indeed I had even written a book about finding hope in those types of circumstances. I left momentarily, to grab out of the back seat of my car, a copy of, Treasures Given on Broken Paths. Returning quickly, I handed him the book. He went outside to weep with his friend.
Now joined by my sister, Peggy, and my husband, Dean, we proceeded with the celebration at hand. Janae explained the process of adjusting her sleep schedule to ready her body for the night shift. The brightness in her eyes and thrill in her voice filled places in my heart to the point of overflow!
The next day, I pondered the multiple small, miraculous steps that culminated in worlds colliding at Tokyo Poke. How did a man in distress find us? That particular restaurant, time, and tables side-by-side? The shifting of individuals before our party of four gathered? Earlier in the day, I was aiming for lunch. We chose dinner instead. Janae lives in town but chose to dine at the beach. My Tuesday nights have a fixed commitment, but I cancelled due to the celebratory nature of the evening. I thought about all the types of people the gentleman might have encountered at the neighboring table; bitter, callous, lost, clueless. He sat next to a believer that would pray in public, one that knew of some of his sorrow. I don’t know if you notice these sorts of “coincidental” occurrences in your life. However, I know that the greatness of Our God has Him instrumental in guiding you also. Reflect and you will notice dates, times and places that were rearranged for greater good.
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Broken but Beautiful 