Chance Encounters

I was thirty minutes from home today at our auto repair shop, and a man who looked a little familiar walked in. He must have thought the same thing about me looking familiar, because he eventually asked me if my kids went to a certain school. More questioning and finally I thought, "He probably went to our former church." My husband and I both taught in the Wednesday night program for years, and surely our paths could have crossed there. Sure enough, that was it. I got his name, asked about his wife, and was sad to hear they had divorced. We had the same type of vehicle, so I remember talking to her about problems they were having with their van because we, too, had difficulties 'off the lot'. What I did not mention was my remembrance of him being very flirtatious back then and giving my co-teacher a flower one year. It came back to me that at some other point in the past, I'd learned they divorced.

I don't know why, but all I saw today was a broken man who was not nearly as he used to be. There was no flirtation whatsoever, just a man who doesn't see his kids enough and who lost it all. He served our country in one of the most respected branches of the military, and now he is working hard to start a company that would help others find employment. I think times are a little tough for him.

The Lord enabled me to remind this man how important his role as a father is to his children; that no man will influence them as he is. I also got to talk about the need for the gospel to be front and center in church...(that happened numerous times today with someone who also left our former church (this man left as well) and then someone else who still attends.)

The thing is, it can be so easy for a part-time parent to think they've lost their influencing power, but kids need their Dad, and children can be very forgiving--thinking of typical divorce situations. Even if the parent sinned and caused the trouble everyone saw, kids need and love their parents.

Seeing this man and how he has changed over the last 8 years reminded me that our actions will catch up with us. It can be easy to feel overly confident, exceedingly attractive or desirable, proud and full of life, but we have to remember God is watching and a day of reckoning will come. Don't trade your family and marriage for the thrill of a fresh encounter--be it a glance or a long stare of 'interest'. Game-playing can spiral out of control quickly, and marital fidelity is nothing to take lightly or tamper with. None of us are above temptation, and at times we may need to literally flee.

I felt this man needed so much more encouragement, and I pray God puts a man in his life, or a very old woman, to do that. He needs the wholeness and healing of Christ--which maybe he has and today was just a low day, but I don't think so.