The first time I met “Cookie” at our coffee shop, he asked me if I was a famous violinist, which made me erupt with laughter—I am not musically talented! Over time, I had many other “chance” encounters with Cookie. Our talks were always brief and light.
Then one day in the coffee shop, Cookie sat down right at my table, which wasn’t typical. He started ranting about politics and religious people. Read more...
Several months after my husband of 29 years suddenly passed away, I moved from the Chicago area back down to southern Illinois. We had lived in this town eight years prior, and both of my kids still lived there. Since we had been very active in the local community and church, I expected to have a good support group there. However, after several months of no one checking up on me, no one inviting me anywhere, and no one to do things with, I realized I had been wrong. Read more...
The door is not wide open at Amy's work for initiating conversations about God. That's true of most workplaces. But after a year of noticing struggles in the lives of her fellow nurses and quietly praying for them, she gave them a very gentle invitation: Read more...
When my husband and I moved into our apartment complex three years ago, I began to pray for God to open up opportunities to meet my neighbors. Matt and I would try to notice who was out and about and greet people, but it seemed that doors would often slam in our faces. Read more...
For years, Dave had driven the same roads from Chicago to his folks’ house in eastern Pennsylvania. That is, until the first time he drove it with his new wife, Jen.