Divine Encounters

It was Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  On Monday's I seldom go into the church office to work, but on this day I had a few appointments with families who were off in honor of MLK.  I had finished my appointments and was just tending to a few things when the doorbell rings.  I go to answer and a young woman carrying an empty bucket reaches out, shakes my hand and greets me.

I racked my brain trying to remember her, but indeed she was a stranger. She asked if I could help her.  She was working at the new Turkish Community Center and their water pipe had broke.  A group of women were at the Center trying to clean and could she get a bucket of water? 

Immediately I responded YES and showed her to our kitchen.  Meanwhile I started looking for an extra bucket or two that she could take back filled with water.  I told her that I am usually not here on Monday and she shared with me she had been driving around looking for a place that was open.  I said it must have been a "divine appointment" and she immediately said there are no coincidences - that "Allah is good."  I nodded in agreement and said how God is so good.

She said she was of the Islamic faith and I told her that I believed in a God of many names with different paths to that God.  I also shared with her that their Community Center has a friend here at the church I pastor.  She said they have an "interfaith group" that is reaching out to build bridges between the different faiths.

Currently there is a lot of mistrust of people who profess to be of the Islamic faith.  Post 9/11 people are afraid of what they do not know or understand.  We tend to lump people into groups so if a few from one group do something harmful then everyone in that group is out to harm others.

Divine encounters happen daily.  Too often we are so busy we don't take time when we have an encounter with a stranger to see how God just might be moving to widen our circle.  On Martin Luther King, Jr Day we remember the life and legacy of this great prophet of God.  A man who believed in love and justice and was willing to take a stand. 

I extended the hand of friendship to a woman from Turkey, of the Islamic faith.  I told her they had a friend and ally at our church and if they ever needed anything to please let me know.  I welcomed her to the neighborhood and as she pulled off I asked God to bless her and her community.

So, my friend, how about your divine encounters?  When does God show up to renew your spirit through an encounter with a stranger?   This week open your heart and prepare for those moments when God breaks into our daily routine and reminds us of the web of life which connects us all together.