This weekend at our church, while mingling about in the lobby after the Saturday service, we had a bit of a surprise. While I was speaking to one of the associate pastors, Amanda glanced over my shoulder and exclaimed, “Sheila!”.
My dear friend of many years and roommate for a few of those years was standing behind us. Apparently she noticed us while in the service and tried to give me a quick ring on my phone but had an old number of mine and got a busy signal. She didn’t want to miss having the chance to catch us before we left, and I am so thankful that she did.
Without sounding disrespectful (and Sheila, if you are reading this, I trust this makes sense), I honestly never really expected to see Sheila at our church. In all the time we have known each other, we never really discussed faith or spirituality, so it didn’t occur to me that she might be interested and would come. Yet she was there – with the same shining happy face, sparkling eyes and warm smile. And I was so happy in that moment. There is nothing like serendipitously meeting up with a friend of whom distance and time have created separation. To bump into her at church of all places was even more spectacular and made the moment even more amazing.
Sheila is one of those kinds of people who would give you her last five dollars, even if she needed it to buy food. She has an open ear to those who call out to her and isn’t shy of lending a shoulder to lean on. She always treated me, and those who we both knew, with respect and kindness. I always admired that about her and was thankful that we were in each other’s lives.
It’s sad how the twists and turns of life sometimes lead us onto different tracks from those with whom we have been traveling. Miles and minutes and hours and years go by (too quickly at that) and once great friendships seem only to be viewed in the rear view mirror; as a distant yet familiar landscape.
It’s a brilliant moment, however, when you happen to glance across the aisle and see a familiar face sharing the ride on the same track. It’s even better when you are traveling to the same destination and are able to pick up where you left off, as if the miles and minutes had never passed, sharing new stories and adventures of your lives on each one’s different route.
I am grateful that God has given us the opportunity to be on the same train; that he has allowed us a chance to bring our experiences, growth, wisdom and perspective once again into the heart of a good friendship.
Reflecting upon this, I began thinking of other people with whom I have lost contact or have drifted apart. There were some really great, caring friendships there that I valued and appreciated. I even thought up those with whom I didn’t necessarily know very well and it made me a bit sad that I didn’t (at the time) have the same perspective that I have now. I wish that I could have invited some of those people to ride with me, getting to know them better and letting down my unnecessary guard. I often wonder what happened to them – where they are now, what roads they have taken and where they stopped along the way. I wonder how many times they have broken down on the side of the road, waiting for help. And I wonder how many times they have gone off the beaten path, discovering something special and unexpected.
I am glad that Sheila and I once again have the occasion to share, laugh and enjoy one another’s friendship.
Perhaps there are people you know with whom you have lost contact – close friends or even family – or maybe those who you didn’t really know much of at all. Maybe you got off at the wrong stop, or missed a connecting flight that could have taken you somewhere great. Or maybe, by inviting them to sit with you, you could have brought them along to a better place than they were heading.
God may delay your flight so that perhaps you would find one of these people waiting for theirs. Or he might seat you just across the aisle from someone with whom you have lost touch. Maybe you just notice them in the distance of a crowded station. Whatever the case, view it as an opportunity to reach across the aisle with a hand of forgiveness, open your arms for a welcoming hug to an old friend, or simply give them a warm acknowledgement with a friendly wave and smile.
We all share a journey through life that can be either be fueled with and propelled by love, kindness, generosity and respect, or can be derailed by things like jealousy, grudges, hatred, ignorance and self-centeredness. The trip is so much nicer when shared with fellow passengers on whom you can rely, in those whom you can find joy, and with those to whom grace has been extended.
Thank you, Sheila, for again joining me on this leg of our journeys. I look forward to the in-flight movie.
Please share this with others