Lunchtime approached as we ran errands.
“Where do you want to go to eat?” my husband asked.
Weighing a few options, we settled on a favorite restaurant close to our route. As we enjoyed our food, the attendant escorted three people and a baby past our table to the courtyard beyond. The older woman caught my eye.
“She looks familiar,” I said. “I think we went to the same church, but I can’t remember her name.”
My husband didn’t think it could be her. After all, it had been at least twelve years prior, in another state, and 1,200 miles away.
But the more I watched, the stronger became the sense that it was my friend.
When I finally remembered her name, I said, “It will bug me forever if I don’t check.”
Although not something I easily do, I went to her table.
“Excuse me,” I said, “Is your name Iris?”
She looked at me wide-eyed and said, “Is that you, Anita?”
We had a wonderful chat. She had moved to help her daughter and son-in-law with their baby.
“Since I don’t know anyone else here, I have been praying that the Lord would help me find friends, and here He brought you right to my table.”
Why did we all choose to go to that restaurant at that time? The table they were seated at could’ve been in a different section or my view in the opposite direction. I didn’t realize God was leading my husband and me that day. We’ve remarked many times since then about how the Lord does His work. Sometimes it is behind the scenes. He places us in significant roles without us even knowing.
Iris and I believe God orchestrated our meeting. She prayed, the Holy Spirit heard and directed, and God met her need for local friendship. It is a delight to be in Bible studies again with this dear lady and to enjoy our fellowship.
No matter your need, you can make your request known to the Lord. He delights to meet it.
Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to two of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, facilitating a small women’s group at church, and mentoring a few friends who also desire to write.