I have mentioned a few times that my story was more a story of reconnection than of conversion. For a long time, I was convinced that I could rely on my strength to do anything, which obviously didn't work very well. There are times/encounters that you intuitively know will change your life. I have wanted to write about one of the important steps of my story of reconnection, but I don't think I can capture the meaning of the encounter that would change my life for the better. I'll give it a try...
Here is how a seemingly insignificant conversation changed the course of my life.
It happened about 2-3 years ago. It was a rather difficult time in my life... the beginning of my quarterlife crisis. I was working at the Cheesecake Factory at the time, where I started as a baker and ended up learning almost everything, but that's not relevant to the story. I was working one afternoon, and it was a relatively quiet shift, which was really unusual for that time of year (late summer). Every one else in the bakery was "phased", meaning that I was the only one working that afternoon.
In comes a customer, and I automatically plaster the usual friendly smile on my face. He notices my accent (I do have a weird accent...) and asks where I am from. I tell him that I am from Africa, and he says that he recently went to Africa, Rwanda to be exact, with his church. He asks me if I think there will ever be a real reconciliation process in Rwanda. I remember thinking "How am I supposed to know?... Man! the things you have to do to get a nice tip!". At the same time, I was really intrigued... Don't get me wrong, I met nice customers once in a while, but this was different. This felt like a deliberate act of kindness. We chit chatted for about 5 minutes and he left. I remember thinking "What!?! No tip for the conversation!!!"- lol. My coworkers and I had ongoing debates on whether to tip cashiers or not. I won't get into the details of the debates, but really he didn't have to tip me.
The entire time this customer and I were talking, I noticed B.S (funny initials- I know...) staring at us, which I thought was rather nosy & rude. After the man left, she ran to my register and said:
-"Do you know who that was?"
-"Hum no... Should I have asked for an autograph?" (Note: I met Kevin Pollack, Mandy Moore and a few local news people while working there-lol)
-"His name is Scott and he is the pastor at the Vineyard!"
-"Hum...okay... so?"
She started telling about her church, and just like that... a seed was planted. I have been looking for B.S at the church, but she must have moved on...
It took me almost a year and a half to set foot at the Vineyard... my excuse.... I didn't know where it was. Anyone who lives in Dayton will find this ludicrous, because the Cheesecake Factory is 5 minutes away from the Vineyard, it's literally down the street! (link to Mapquest) I simply could not get into my brain that Indian Ripple Rd and Dorothy Lane were one and the same. I was lost... REALLY lost. My mom really wanted my sister and I to go back to church, and that's how I remembered hearing about the Vineyard and finally decided to check it out. I attended one service, and I knew I was home.
The really funny thing about this story is that I didn't even recognize Scott. He did the announcements at church every week, led worship sometimes and even gave messages, but I wasn't sure if it was him or not. I simply figured that he must have moved on too. I almost approached him after one service, but decided against it, because I didn't want to sound weird, in case it wasn't him. It wasn't until months later, when I heard a sermon in which he specifically talked about being in Africa that I finally connected the dots.
Funny how God used a 5 minute conversation to make such an impact on my life!
I was mudding the ceiling of Beulah Land Baptist Church in New Orleans a few weeks ago, and I stopped for a minute to call my new friend Peggy over. I had told her my story earlier in the day and I asked her:
- "Do think God knew I would be here today when I met Scott years ago?"
She just smiled, and I smiled back...
I know HE did.
EED
2 comments:
Hi Elom,
No doubt that some of the small things we do seem like big things to others, and vice versa. I am glad that you are able to remember this, look back and see God's hand in it all with a heart of praise and thanks.
I always wondered who this Scott guy was, there must be a lot of people doing small things with big impact. I was thinking just today, looking back on my life, will the big efforts to reach others and share His love really matter in the big scheme of things. I don't know, and better that I didn't, I would just get prideful and centered on doing things, instead of my identity in His passion.
It is good to be reminded that the little things matter, sometimes most of all.
Brad,
Small & big things matter when it comes to making an impact on someone's life. Especially when it comes to sharing the love we have for Him. Of course, the impact can go either way, but most times we have no way of knowing...
I am really glad I remember this experience. It is rare to be able to actually see the beginning of a new path...
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