In a conversation recently, one of my sons shared a beautiful discovery.  He said, God hits the home runs, and we get to run the bases. This well-timed insight resonated with something my heart has been yearning for lately.  In my times of worship something deep within me cries out, “I want to move with you, I want to love with you, put me in the game, God.’  I’ve actually said those words.  Put me in the game.  Don’t even know what I mean, I just hear myself say it.  It comes with a desire to be more alert to His presence in the mundane; to know His thoughts and preferences in the small things.  I’m learning that most of the time, the small things are really the big things.

I was traveling recently, and the night before I was scheduled to fly, I was awoken from a sound sleep.  Nothing in particular prompting it; no sudden noise or heart stopping moment in a dream, just suddenly very awake.   I leaned over, fumbled for my phone and squinted as the dull light screamed at my sleepy eyes.  As I registered that it was 3:30 a.m., I heard that still, small voice that I love.  He matter-of-factly said, “Get on the 6 am flight.”

Until that moment, I was undecided.  The flight was oversold, so I was debating whether to try to catch the first flight or wait.  My warm bed was making a compelling case for the later.   Now, that all changed.  Yet I can’t really say I felt a sense of anticipation, or excitement.  It just seemed logical.  Someone I trust asked me to do something and it just didn’t make sense to do anything different.  So I got up, packed and was out the door 45 minutes later.

Of course, the flight was oversold and I was told I wouldn’t get on.   Ah, the familiar head on collision of what I see, defying what I know.

Choose rest, I say to myself.

Fifteen minutes later, in an unorthodox move and well before pre-boarding, they approached me to take my carry on.  For a moment, I tried to convince them that might not be a good idea.  Then my mind caught up to what I could not see and I decided to shut my mouth.  Mine was the first luggage they loaded onto the plane.  Then my name was called.  When you fly standby, that just doesn’t happen.

While waiting for my next connection, I sat next to a lovely gentleman with a thick European accent.  Our conversation began over a simple question about accessing the Internet.   It is amazing how much you can learn about a person in 10 minutes if you’ll just really listen.  I learned his name is Alex, he lives in Holland, is the CEO of an I.T. company, and is relocating his family to the States where they are opening a regional office.  (I can even tell you the three key reasons the company is relocating).  He has a wife, and three children ages, 13, 11, and 3.  The thirteen year old is happy to relocate, but his eleven-year-old son, is struggling; frightened because he doesn’t know how to speak English.   I can also tell you he had a three-year-old daughter.  But this is where the conversation shifted.  He told me that she drowned in their pool six years ago.  And even more devastating to him was the fact that his older children are the one’s who found her.   Oh my.  Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore.  I was suddenly very aware that I just stepped onto holy ground.  Wait, it is all holy, isn’t it.

My new friend allowed me to pray with him, which lead to more conversation about his spiritual journey.   In that moment, I could feel the deep sigh of my Heavenly Father who longed to comfort his son and give him peace.  His love for this man was tangible.  I could feel it.  It’s one of my favorite feelings in the world.  Then just as natural as it all began, the conversation shifted as his section was called to board.  He squeezed my hand with sincerity and said, ‘this is the answer, isn’t it.  This is what it’s all about, isn’t it’.   I knew this was not a question anymore, but a discovery.  As I watched him walk on to the plane, my heart paused with a sigh as I was reminded that everyone has a story, life has made some of us fragile in places, and we need to be gentle with one another.

I approached the gate agent who said that there were two ahead of me and it was a full flight.  It didn’t look good.   In those moments, I refuse thoughts, as it is so easy to entertain the wrong ones.

Rest.

At the last minute, I heard the familiar mispronunciation of my name.  I approached the counter to learn that I’d been given a cozy middle seat in coach class.  As I gratefully settled in, I saw the gate agent board the plane and approach me (this is never a good sign).  I nervously smiled.  Then she said this.  ‘A seat just opened up in first class.  If you want it, it’s yours’.   Yes, that happened.  At the busiest point of her job of trying to achieve an on-time push off, she entered the plane to offer me a better seat.   Well, you don’t have to ask me twice, lead the way.

I took my seat in first class next to a very well manicured black gentleman who carried an air of affluence about him. However, everything about him communicated ‘keep your distance please’ – from his clothes to his demeanor. He was wearing all black, with a black scarf, a black beanie hat, dark sunglasses, drinking a strong bourbon and tea at 8 am (mostly bourbon from the smell of it) and listening to music on his headphones loud enough to make its silent point.  So, as he politely stood to let me in to my seat, I introduced myself and we started some small chat.  I expected a few pleasantries before he would once again slip on his headphones and retreat into his Styrofoam cup.  However, something very different happened. Our conversation became fuller, richer and deeper as he invited me into the rooms of his life. We talked about everything from parenting, relationship dynamics and tools, cleaning up relational messes, family history, his sister dying, his dreams and yes, his self admission that he is running from God.  It turns out he is a successful music producer who’s life is not feeling so successful.  In helping him process, I shared a lot of God thoughts and Kingdom truths but without all the God language.  At one point he said he wished he could take notes, this stuff could save relationships.  The thing that struck me was that this man really wanted the God I know; yes, was made for Him.   Unfortunately, the front door to the church looked pretty unappealing.  To him, it was defaced with the graffiti of judgment and hypocrisy.  Its’ rusted hinges frozen in impotence, and on its steps lay victims who could not enter.   Oh, my heart cried out to find a way around all of this mess we’ve created in the church and just bring him to my Dad.

Then I did something that just seemed right in the moment.  I held out my hand for him to take.  There were no words but we both understood what we didn’t really understand yet.  I smiled and just waited.  He weighed things in his heart. It seemed like a long time.  Risk usually does.  Then he reached out and put his hand in mine.  I began to pray God’s heart over him.  Then I asked my Dad to come.  My friend slowly relaxed, then began to weep in the presence of God.  We sat in silence for a bit.  Then he said to me, ‘I am speechless. I haven’t cried for 8 years, not even when my sister died.  And I haven’t felt peace even longer.  But, just this morning, I mean just this morning – just a couple of hours ago as I was driving to the airport, I asked God to please give me peace. My life had no peace. I never even talk to God but that’s what I said this morning.  Then this happens.  He sends you. What nice white lady sits next to a bad looking dude in all black, drinking at 8 am, and starts talking to him, all nice?  I wouldn’t have done that. This ain’t normal, It’s crazy.  I’m freaked out, yet damn, I feel so peaceful inside.  See, this kind of love, this sh-t scares me.  This is the real deal.’

At that moment I was reminded that it really is simple, isn’t it?  He is aching to love people through us; through our own unique expression.  God, help us to stop overcomplicating it and just get in the game.  Because a simple smile can change a day, listening can heal a heart, and love always wins. As we hugged before parting, I felt saturated with Gods pleasure at hitting a home run, and letting me run the bases.  Yes, I think I may have even heard the crack of the bat, and heaven cheer.