Engaged By A Stranger In The Midst Of Change

Three months ago my husband boarded a flight that would take him across the world to a place he’d never seen, to start a new position, and to prepare for the rest or our little family to join him.

After that flight took off a little boy toddled down the isle of the plane, stopped at my husband’s seat and lifted both of his arms in a sweet gesture that communicated his desire to be held.  

My husband lifted the toddler into his lap and cuddled him.  When the little boy’s mother realized what had happened, she looked a bit uncomfortable so my husband put the little boy down and sent him back to his mother.

A short time later this little boy wandered back to Jim, and again lifted his arms.  Jim looked towards the mother and she granted her permission with the nod of her head, and again my husband cuddled that little boy.

Before they landed, my husband learned that this little boy named Daniel, had not seen his father in a month and during the past several hours Daniel had not been eating or drinking.  After spending time cuddling with my husband, Daniel finally ate and drank.

No matter how I view that experience it warms my heart and makes me smile, two complete strangers that are drawn to each other for a reason.  …Of all the strangers on the plane why did Daniel pick Jim?

  • My immediate reaction was that Daniel saw a light in Jim, he knew Jim was safe and just needed that warmth.
  • Then a friend pointed out that perhaps something in Daniel understood that Jim had just said goodbye to everything familiar and safe and was taking a journey into the unknown and he wanted to offer comfort and hope to Jim.  (Perhaps my husband was entertaining an angel…)

No matter how you view it, it was an experience that provided joy and hope.  (And Daniel is still talked about today as if we’ve always known him.)

[Tweet “”We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own.” Ben Sweetland”]

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.”  Isaiah 42:16

When have you engaged or been engaged by a complete stranger?  Did the day get a little brighter?  Did the world get a little smaller?  Please share your stories!  

Photo Credits:  Fotolia

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17 thoughts on “Engaged By A Stranger In The Midst Of Change

  1. That is a great post! I love how God meets our needs through other people. I pray that I will not be selfish and be ready for those opportunities like your husband. I pray things are going good for you all.
    Thank you!

  2. I love this post. I love how assuring it is, that even when we might feel alone, God can send the most unlikely angels to be assured of His presence. Thank you for sharing this. I’m praying you see many more moments like this while you’re abroad. You’re so not alone, dear friend.

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  4. Chery,

    It’s amazing to see what a simple act of Love (God is Love, right?) can do for someone who is “needy”. I think Daniel’s raised arms and Jim’s gentle demeanor were both simple expressions of love, empowered by Christ, to bring peace and joy to the receiver. It’s not a coincidence when these things happen.

    Knowing that Jesus is alive and working among us every single minute, you start to see Him in things that you just ignored or chalked up to “coincidence” before. It really starts to get exciting when you realize that God is giving opportunities like this to us every day – we just have to look and listen, then act.

    My prayer is that we all get better at seeing the opportunities and stepping out of our boxes to act on them.

    Bruce
    PS – Give Brutus a good belly-rub for me, please!

    • Bruce – Thank you for your comments! I could not agree more! It is not a coincidence when thense things happen! Great advice: “Look, Listen, Act… Outside of our boxes!”

      …The belly rub has been delivered!