Sometimes...

... You amaze me, God.

Leah, a local magazine rep, comes to call on our director of conference services every few weeks or so. Back in July she dropped by when I happened to have my big-ass Bible sitting out during lunch and she asked, suddenly excited, what I was studying. While we waited for the director, Cass, to show up, we chatted a bit about our faith and where we attended church, etc. At the time she was on day 11(!!!) of a fast and I promised to pray - she said the Holy Spirit was still attempting to teach her something and she wasn't going to stop until she knew (and grasped) what it was. Ever since then, I've looked forward to her brief visits and the moments where we, still relative strangers, share candidly about where we are in our walk.

She crossed my mind this morning and I wondered, fleetingly, when she'd be back. Part of me thinks I shouldn't be surprised she showed up a few hours later but it still put a shocked smile on my face. When I asked how she was doing, she said she was on another fast (day 7, so far) and then opened up quietly about the things she was struggling with which, coincidentally (...or not, because God was surely at the helm), were alarmingly similar to my own current issues.

Cass arrived then and they discussed marketing events while I resumed work. A few minutes later they said their good-byes and Leah turned to leave, saying she'd be praying; I promised to do the same.

Just as she was about to step out the door though, she back-tracked, reached for my hand and asked if we could lift it up right then. And with all of my co-workers oblivious to the unplanned restoration taking place, we prayed.

I don't know if this is common among other faiths but I am so grateful for the unspoken connection that bonds the body of Christ. Sustenance and grace turn up in the most unexpected places because of it.