My daughter loves Barnes and Noble. She loves to go and read books, and of course buy books. How can you deny a book to a kid? "No, you can't read." So we go often.
One day we're in Barnes and Noble, in the kids' book section, and someone comes into the section with a little girl. This someone has dreadlocks, a lip piercing, and torn clothing. As they pass us, I look up at the face, and it looks really familiar. For the next several minutes I try to place the face. I realize that this girl looks like a girl I had in my student ministry in Colorado eight years ago.
In the past I would never approach a "stranger", and would never strike up a conversation with someone I don't know, but I'm different now. My office here in Colorado consists of one of two places: Paradise Bakery and Cafe, and Caribou Coffee. Both have good coffee and free internet. I've struck up many conversations with workers and regulars in both places. I've even developed a couple of friendships. So I decide to talk with this girl.
"Hey, I don't mean to bother you or anything, but did you happen to go to ___________ Christian Church several years ago?"
"Yeah, I did. You look familiar."
"I was your youth minister. You were in sixth grade, I think, and you hung out with Chris and Brittany."
"Yeah! My name is Sarah. You're...Adam, right?"
"Yeah."
"Wow, I can't believe you recognized me. That was a long time ago. You have a good memory. So...didn't you move to Texas or something?"
"Yeah. We lived in Dallas for a year and a half, then Arizona for three, then Ohio for three, and now we're back."
"Really? What are you doing?"
"I planted a church this year with Todd, the former associate pastor of the church. We actually meet here in Southlands, at the theater. It's pretty cool."
"Sounds cool. By the way, this isn't my daughter. She's my sister."
"Ah, I didn't think so, but I wasn't going to ask you. You would be pretty young to have a child. What are you, nineteen?"
"Yeah."
"Well, it's good seeing you. Take care."
I wish I could have continued on. Noelle wanted to read more books though. I wonder if she still believes in God. I wonder what she's doing these days. I wonder.
Maybe I'll run into her again. At Barnes and Noble. Or Paradise. Or Caribou.
2 comments:
I hope you have a "Colorado Conversation #2" with her. As a youth minister, that has to be cool to see what happens to kids who you interacted with 7 or 8 yrs ago. You do have a good memory!
This is a great example that real ministry doesn't happen in a church office. It's about meeting with people. My hat's off to you, friend.m And I'm with Rochelle - here's hoping for #2.
Post a Comment