My fruitage is a “work-in-progress” as I continue to work through the homework assignment topics. Trusting and praying, the way has opened for both study, and conversations. I have been amazed at how the opportunities to talk with strangers have opened up.
Let me share my first conversation. I found myself traveling to an appointment half an hour early, so I decided to get a hot drink at the coffee shop in the mall while waiting. As I chose a seat, I saw a lady sitting in a group of comfortable seats, but I went to sit at the table behind her. As I started to sit down, I looked over at her. Although she seemed to be using her phone, she had a book in her hands and the book said: “OPEN.”
“Right!” I thought, “this is my message.” I went over to one of the seats opposite the lady and gestured to ask if she minded if I sat there. I really did not want to force a conversation, so I got quiet and waited for God to show me whether or not to talk to her. She looked directly at me, so I asked her if she would mind if I spoke to her as it was part of my homework to talk with someone I had never met before. The lady was fine with this – she had been waiting for a call – and I started to share my joy of completing my study of two Bible books, Jeremiah and Ephesians. She asked about all the homework and then shared some of her own experience.
The lady had recently started working in the area of mental health – she had previously experienced mental health issues herself and had been free for six months.
She was particularly interested that I would be thinking about God for five days. (This was how I had broken up my homework given the time to complete). The lady had attended a twelve-step program with Narcotics Anonymous and this had been very religious. Her parents were not religious. She now believed in a higher power and shared an understanding of being, which she had gained from Buddhism, that man is like a wave that melts back into the sea.
It was really clear that God had brought us together. She had been wondering about her purpose in life and her family did not understand. We spoke about angels and I shared that, in my experience, gaining a deeper understanding of God through study like this always results in a step change. I then realised that the shop would be opening so we said our goodbyes. I am so grateful for every interaction and trust these can continue despite the current restrictions on gatherings.