Two encounters

C. and I ran across a lady I hadn’t seen in years. She’d got fed up with our church and had moved on after 15 years of on-and-off investment. There were reasons. Her life was falling apart and we couldn’t fix it or even make it better.

She’s ok now. Separated from her husband, working seven days a week, feeling needed by those she works for. She’s honestly happier. She’s got life by the tail.

Since I don’t feel threatened anymore, I asked her where she “worships”. She said she’d just left a church after 5 years and was now attending an English-speaking church near her place.

She doesn’t speak English. Well, not much. But since she’s so solidly grounded in faith, who needs the teaching? She’s got it all down. (Her words.)

I think she’s grown. I remember her despising all of our English activities.

No lie, 5 minutes later we ran across another old friend whose son used to be a member (and good friend). She hardly recognized me. Said I’d aged. She asked where my hair had gone. “I really wouldn’t have recognized you had it not been for C.”

Tomorrow I’ll stay indoors and work on my sermon and wrinkles.