Friday, September 18, 2009

beyond comfort zones

When you're one of more than 500 writers at a huge hotel, you don't meet but a few of them. So today at lunch in this big ballroom, I chose an empty table in a far corner rather than sit with the people I knew as a sort of game to see who would come. So there I was, the only person alone at a huge table for 10, wondering who would sit down with me.

People were pouring in for lunch and taking tables all around me but my table seemed invisible. The waiter, perhaps feeling sorry for me, served me a salad. Long minutes ticked by and I finished my salad. Feeling a bit strange by now and thinking I'd better join one of the other tables, I prayed the right person would come to my table. I was now way out of my comfort zone:)

So over comes a lady who sits down smack beside me. Her name tag says she's from Ohio. I tell her I graduated from college there and asked her a little about herself. The talk always turns to writing. She asked about my publishing journey and I began talking about my brother who's in Spain but so instrumental to this whole book thing. I mention he'd been in Ecuador for 18 years till recently, planting churches and training Ecuadorian pastors for ministry. She said, "Oh, that sounds like the ministry we support - Team Expansion."

Needless to say I nearly fell off my chair! And she almost fell off hers when I told her my brother's name and she told me she's been praying for him and his family for almost 20 years and supporting his ministry!

Only God could have arranged that! Blessings abound here and everywhere. Sometimes you don't even have to go looking for them:)

12 comments:

  1. Laura, that's awesome! And God planted her there with purpose right beside you and it was not coincidental. :) I love when things like that happen when we least expect it, and are so fulfilled by it! God really is in control. Hope your trip has been wonderful but I am sure you will be ready to get back home Sunday. I bet Randy and the boys are really missing you! :)

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  2. wow--ok, send me a note with the person's name. We are delighted and excited to know who it is!

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  3. "Wherever you go, you take yourself with you." We are never really alone, because our faith is a constant companion. How nice that on your journey, your brother reached out to you through the kindness of a stranger.

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  4. We serve an AWESOME GOD!! How cool is that!!!

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  5. Laura, I'm jumping up and down in my spirit because of this encounter. How awesome is God to arrange these kinds of encounters, and how many more might we have if we took the time to pray and watch for them more often? Such a blessing!

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  6. Yes, Rhonda! My Sunday school class prayed for some "awesome" moments for this conference and that was surely one of them! I'm still thrilled!
    I called Randy and the boys this morning and they are doing fine - home tomorrow 10 pm:)

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  7. Hey Chris,
    Yes, I will send you an email with details. Can you believe it!? She even took some pics of us together to send to D and P Lucas!

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  8. Very good thoughts, Virginia. God really is with us all the time, even in a crowded room of 500 strangers!

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  9. Lisa,
    Yes, AWESOME is the word:)He is so much bigger than we think He is and full of surprises!

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  10. Hi Lori,
    Love all the "awesome" comments here as that is an answered prayer in itself. That word was just the one my SS class used to send me off to Denver! I'm sure everyone here at conference has had moments like those - and those of you reading:)

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  11. I echo the "AWESOME!" of everyone here. Your story gave me chills. It is absolutely thrilling to hear of the ways that God works. I am so happy he showed Himself to you at the conference like this!

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  12. Mary, I'm so glad to hear from you here! Amazing is the word. Your heart for Him blesses me!!

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