Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Dear God,

Hope was born yesterday afternoon at lunch by the pier.  Our group of five retreatants didn't even notice until a server passed us a note from the lady at the next table.

It was the last day of our retreat.  We had gone to the waterfront for lunch and a little shopping before I drove them to the airport.  We had picked a new restaurant that overlooked the water.  When we were taken to our table, I noticed a couple at the table beside ours.  In their 30's I thought they were a striking couple and as I walked by them I told them so.  They smiled and thanked me.  Later when the husband pulled out his camera I asked if I could take a picture of them together.  They thanked me, stood by the railing and I clicked the shot.  Minutes later our group ordered lunch, took hands, and prayed.

We were almost finished eating when the server quietly slipped the note to the retreatant closest to the door.  Whispering that it was from the lady at the table beside us, the retreatant was perplexed what to do so we concluded our meal, paid our tab, bid goodbye to the couple, and walked downstairs.  We stopped and read the note.  The woman thanked me for taking their picture.  She said she noticed us when we prayed.  "I could tell you were women of faith.  You gave me hope."  She then poured out her heart saying her husband had told her he did not love her anymore and she asked us to pray for their marriage.  We looked at one another and then paused to pray for them.  As we walked out of the restaurant, I looked up at them, smiled, and cried out, "Be blessed."  The woman smiled knowing it was my way of acknowledging the note and our promise to pray.

As we stepped into the car and headed for the airport we talked about Marcia and her husband and how you had blessed us during our last meal together.  We agreed to continue to pray knowing your blessing to us was also a blessing to them where hope was served.

Blessed God,
thank you
for chance encounters.
Thank you
for eliciting
our help
for Marcia
and her husband.
Thank you
for prayer
that gives hope.

Love, Andrea