Funny how this happens. Sam and I intentionally set out each day with the goal to reach out with kindness to everyone we meet – to not let any opportunity pass without trying to have some type of conversation with every person we meet, whether through the drive-thru, at a check-out counter, opening a door for someone, appreciating the landscaper outside the building, etc. And inevitably, almost every single time, we end up being the ones who are blessed and in awe of the kindness and stories behind the faces.

Three examples to share with you today, and three reasons to be extra grateful for these beautiful people God placed in our path this weekend:

1. A woman named Sherye, probably incorrectly spelled, and I could kick myself for not taking her picture. We walked into a Braum’s store on Saturday at noon. She was the employee in the market area, and as we began to walk by her, Sam said, “Hi there! How you are doing today?” Her response: “I’m so blessed!!” There is NO WAY you can keep walking without inquiring as to why. So we asked. And boy oh boy, did we meet an angel who was eager to share. What a beautiful young woman of 84 years. What a life of positivity and encouraging words. What a testimony she had to share about how God has given her a great life. And because she answered the original question with more than just “Fine,” or “Good, thank you,” she passed on a blessing to us, and we met an angel on the way.

2. Have you ever been to Syracuse, Kansas? If not, you need to plan a weekend drive. We were passing through and stopped to fuel up late Saturday afternoon. Sam had gone inside and while I was sitting in the car, I happened to notice a little girl standing on a corner across the street, holding a sign. When we pulled out of the parking lot, we drove slowly by her, reading her sign. This is what it said:

We kept driving, but at about the same time, we both looked at each other and knew we had to turn around and go back. And wow, are we glad we did. Fermina was actually standing outside her parents’ business, “The ‘Ole Cook Shack,” and she was on the clock. We parked the car, went inside this adorable little building that has to be brand new, and our taste buds were treated to some of the most wonderful barbecue we’ve had – and we live in Kansas City. We had the Sampler plate, shared between the two of us, and we had to ask for a to-go box. The ribs, brisket, sausage, chicken, and pulled pork were perfection. Yes, five meats on our plate. I wanted to try Mrs. Englert’s Texas Peanut Butter Cake but we couldn’t have stuffed another bite into our growing bellies. But, even better than the food, was the atmosphere of a Mom and Dad behind the counter, and three of their four adopted daughters all working on a Saturday evening. What a beautiful family. We sat in this small restaurant and had the best visit with 8th grader Candice while she wrapped silverware and tried to watch a movie on the TV – Sam wasn’t about to let her slack off. She said she is much more productive during commercials! Oh, what a delight and a blessing this family was to us, and they gave us the boost to complete our long drive to Manitou Springs that night. A family of angels on our journey… Seriously – take a drive to Syracuse and visit this place. Dad – you could even eat there. They have a great salad bar and potato salad and cole slaw, just for you!

3. Fast forward to Sunday early morning before Manitou has barely begun to stir. We were out for our morning walk before beginning our drive on west to Crested Butte, and we made our way to sleepy downtown, where the only life was in the form of four-legged canines, obsessed runners decked out in spandex, and Gil. He is from New York, and he spends his summers in Manitou where his son and family live. Of course, this guy happened to grace us with his friendliness because Sam greeted him as we walked by. Talk about a great way to start a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning – conversing with a New Yawker who was just anxious to share a few minutes with us. Ten minutes was all it took to completely bless this couple who just happened to be out for a walk. He even offered to buy us a cup of coffee and continue becoming friends. Gil from New Yawk. Another angel on the path. (Kicking myself for not getting his picture, too…)

These three encounters with strangers seem to be object lessons from my book, “Interrupted,” by Jen Hatmaker. I finished her book on Saturday morning, and I am so grateful for the message, for the conviction, for the challenge placed in front of me. I’m throwing out my offer once again – if you’ll read it, I’ll send it to you. But you have to promise to read it and tell me what you think of it. (Oh! And if you love HGTV and home decorating, or even if you don’t, the Hatmakers are the subject of a new show that starts THIS WEEK on Thursday evening at 10 PM CST. It will be a great show – this pastor and his family renovate their whole house and get REAL about it all. Just click on My Big Family Renovation for details.)  

I am grateful for relationships that bring us closer together, for encounters with strangers who are not strangers at all, and for the reminder to lift someone/everyone up today, because in giving, we receive so much more…